Mattinson v. Mattinson , 1924 Wash. LEXIS 1012 ( 1924 )

Pemberton, J.

Appellant instituted this action against E. D. Mattinson, her husband, to have certain real estate adjudged to be her separate property clear of any claim of the community consisting of herself and respondent, and for judgment for moneys loaned to respondent. Judgment was entered as prayed for as to the real estate, and denied for the money loaned, from which judgment this appeal is taken.

The court held that appellant could not recover judgment against respondent or the community for moneys loaned respondent during the existence of the marital relation. The cross-appeal taken by respondent appears to have been abandoned, and upon motion of appellant it is hereby dismissed.

The trial court found the facts as follows:

“(8) That commencing with the year 1916 and prior to the commencement of this action plaintiff loaned to the defendant certain sums, of money out of the rents, issues and profits of her separate property by check drawn by her on her account at the Baker-Boyer National Bank of Walla Walla, Washington, and in cash, but it did not appear from the evidence whether such sums were loaned to the community consisting of plaintiff and defendant or to the defendant for his separate benefit.

“ (9) That commencing with the year 1916, and up to the time of the commencement of this action plaintiff, paid out of her separate funds to the Baker-Boyer National Bank of Walla Walla, Washington, upon notes executed by plaintiff and defendant to such bank for moneys borrowed by defendant from such bank certain sums of money, but it does not appear whether the money so borrowed by defendant was borrowed for the benefit of the community consisting of plaintiff and defendant or by defendant for his separate benefit. ’ ’

There were other findings as to other indebtednesses represented by notes signed by both appellant and respondent for which the court would not permit recovery, but without prejudice to the right of appellant to maintain an action therefor in the event she pays the same out of her separate property. Appellant insists that she is entitled to judgment against respondent and the marriage community of appellant and respondent.

• The testimony shows that the money in question was loaned to respondent for his own behalf or for the benefit of the community. In the failure to show to the contrary, the obligation is presumed to be a community obligation. Rea v. Eslick, 87 Wash. 125, 151 Pac. 256; McDonough v. Craig, 10 Wash. 239, 38 Pac. 1034; Calhoun v. Leary, 6 Wash. 17, 32 Pac. 1070; Bryant v. Stetson & Post Mill Co., 13 Wash. 692, 43 Pac. 931. Respondent, being the manager of tbe community estate, is personally liable as well as the community. First National Bank of Ritzville v. Cunningham, 72 Wash. 532, 130 Pac. 1148; Curry v. Catlin, 9 Wash. 495, 37 Pac. 678, 39 Pac. 101; Erfurth v., Erfurth, 90 Wash. 521, 156 Pac. 523; Parke v. Case, 113 Wash. 263, 193 Pac. 688.

Tbe law of tbis state permits both tbe husband and wife to each bold property separate and apart from tbe other and recognizes that tbe marriage community is a separate entity distinct from tbe separate estates of each. Sections 6890, 6891, 6892, Rem. Comp. Stat. [P. C. §§1432,1424,1433]. '

“In fixity of constitution, a community resembles a corporation. It is similar to a corporation in tbis, also, that tbe state originates it, and that its powers and liabilities are ordained by statute. In it, tbe proprietary interests of husband and wife are equal, and those interests do not seem to be united merely, but unified; not mixed or blent, but identified. It is sui generis, — a creature of tbe statute.” Holyoke v. Jackson, 3 Wash. Terr. 235, 3 Pac. 841.

See, also, Ryan v. Ferguson, 3 Wash. 356, 28 Pac. 910.

Under tbe law, tbe husband has tbe management and control of tbe community property. Sections 6892, 6893, Rem. Comp. Stat. [P. C. §§ 1433,1434]. If in bis management be borrows money from bis wife belonging to her separate property be and tbe community are liable upon tbis obligation to tbe same extent as if borrowed from a third party and there is no reason pointed out why tbe wife should not be permitted to bring an action to recover tbe amount loaned from her separate funds and secure judgment against her husband personally and the marriage community. . She may sue and be sued as if unmarried. Sections 6900, 6902, Eem. Comp. Stat. [P. C. §§ 1420, 1430].

The statute expressly authorizes this action.

“Should either husband or wife obtain possession or control of property belonging to the other, either before or after marriage, the owner of the property may maintain an action therefor, or for any right growing out of the same, in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were unmarried.” Section 6903, Eem. Comp. Stat. [P. C. § 1425].

It is the intent and purpose of the law that the questions involving the title to property be settled while both the husband and wife are living and not postponed until after the death of one of the spouses when the proof of the obligation would be very difficult if not impossible.

It might be claimed that it would open the door to fraud to permit one spouse to maintain an action against another and the community in favor of the separate estate of one of the spouses. This right, however, would not in anywise affect the rights of third parties and when brought in question the burden would be upon the husband and wife to show the good faith of the transaction. Section 10571, Eem. Comp. Stat. [P. C. §1930].

The judgment of the trial court is modified and the case remanded with directions to enter judgment against both respondent and the marriage community of respondent and appellant in the amounts found due in findings of fact numbers 8 and 9.

Main, C. J., Fullerton, Parker, Tolman, and Bridges, JJ., concur.