Hoy's Estate , 308 Pa. 131 ( 1932 )

Argued May 9, 1932. The appellant, Lucy V. Hoy, claims five thousand dollars from her deceased husband's estate under the Intestate Act of 1917, and also five hundred dollars as the widow's exemption. The mother of the decedent, Margaret Hoy, excepted to the widow's claims and set up an agreement between the widow, the appellant, and her husband, Henry C. Hoy, now deceased, which was executed on May 28, 1927, wherein she released all claim of any share she might otherwise have had in the estate of the decedent. Henry C. Hoy, died without issue, intestate, on August 13, 1928.

In the preamble to their agreement, it is set forth that the husband and wife had "irreconcilable differences . . . . . . and contemplate living separate and apart; and . . . . . . that the husband shall give to the wife the sum of $800 and certain household goods and furniture belonging to the wife; and . . . . . . all their mutual rights and liabilities shall be settled by this agreement." And, then it is agreed between the parties "that neither will interfere or intermeddle with the other in his or her respective liberty, conduct or action," and "that the wife accepts the payment . . . . . . in full satisfaction of her right to support and maintenance" by her husband, and that "each releases the other, his and her respective heirs, executors and administrators, from all duties, liabilities and obligations of every kind whatsoever which otherwise might or could claim under or by virtue of the marriage relation between them, and particularly the right to claim any share in the estate of either, real or personal, under the intestate law or against the will of the other." The issue in this case arises from paragraph seven of the agreement, which reads as follows: "This agreement is not to be construed as evidencing the consent of either to the contemplated separation so as to bar an action for divorce by the other for desertion."

The widow-appellant's chief contention is that the whole contract was void as against public policy because of this paragraph. The agreement was drawn by the appellant's attorney at her instance and under her instructions. The full consideration stipulated for was paid to her. She now contends that the agreement was made for the purpose of aiding in and facilitating the procuring of a decree in divorce. Depositions were taken in behalf of the appellant and in behalf of the decedent's mother. The court below found that the evidence failed to show such a purpose; that they failed to show any coercion, concealment or deception on the part of the decedent in procuring the preparation or delivery of the agreement; and that the evidence conclusively showed that the agreement was read and explained to the appellant prior to the execution of it by her attorney.

We have gone over the entire record, including the depositions, and we see no reason for disturbing the findings and conclusions of the court below. We do not find that paragraph seven is contrary to public policy and therefore void. It is true that any arrangement tending to facilitate the granting of a decree in divorce is illegal, invalid and void, however solemnly made and this court will never hesitate to say so. See Mathiot's Est., 243 Pa. 375; Miller v. Miller, 284 Pa. 414,418; Shannon's Est., 289 Pa. 280, 283. But in this case we find that this was not the purpose of the agreement. We construe the paragraph in the preamble which refers to "irreconcilable difference has arisen between them" as "partaking somewhat of a settlement to end controversies between them" (Slagle's App., 294 Pa. 442), and not as evidence of such an agreement to separate as would bar an action for divorce for desertion. No divorce was ever applied for by either party, although, at the time of the death of Henry C. Hoy, the agreement was then in full force and effect over a year and four months. The court in this case also found that when the appellant executed the agreement she was fully advised of her rights and signed it of her own free will without any coercion upon her husband's part. And the court has also found that the consideration is not unreasonable nor disproportionate to the means of the husband and that there was full disclosure to the wife of the value of the husband's property.

The court below, in construing paragraph seven, said: "It did not provide that the divorce was not to be contested. It did not provide that the parties thereto or either of them should in any manner refrain from setting up that the separation itself was by consent."

We think this case is ruled by Miller v. Miller, 284 Pa. 414.

The decree is affirmed.