Cox v. Parker

The bill is for the cancellation of a deed of gift conveying real estate. The deed was made during the last sickness of the grantor. The bill is filed by her heirs at law. By detailed averments the bill alleges confidential relations between the donor and donee, voluntary activity of the donee in the procurement of the deed; that the will of the donee became dominant, and the donor, in making the deed, was dominated and controlled by the will of the donee; that the execution of the deed was not the free and voluntary act of the donor; and (paragraph 9) "that, at the time of the signature by her, she had become greatly weakened mentally and physically, and did not know or understand the nature or the consequences of the act she was about to perform."

In setting up undue influence as equitable ground to cancel a deed, or as ground of contest of a will at law or in equity, the quo modo need not be shown. It is sufficient to aver in general terms that the deed or will was the result of the undue influence of a named persons or persons. Grubbs v. Hawkins,208 Ala. 349, 94 So. 484; Johnson v. Johnson, 206 Ala. 523.91 So. 260; Letohatchie Church v. Bullock, 133 Ala. 552, 32 So. 58; Alexander v. Gibson, 176 Ala. 262, 57 So. 760; Strickland v. Strickland, 206 Ala. 452, 90 So. 345; Cunninghame v. Herring,195 Ala. 469, 70 So. 148.

If the pleader does not adopt this rule, but undertakes to give the facts, they must make a case warranting a finding of undue influence. When the facts averred make a prima facie case of undue influence, followed by averment to the effect that the deed was the result thereof, this is sufficient. We think the bill, as amended, is sufficient as a bill to cancel for undue influence. Coghill v. Kennedy, 119 Ala. 641, 24 So. 459; Powe v. Payne, 208 Ala. 527, 94 So. 587.

It is suggested that paragraph 9, above quoted, avers in substance a want of mental capacity to execute the deed, and renders the bill demurrable. The averment above does not in terms aver that the donor, by reason of physical and mental weakness, was incapable, of understanding the nature or consequences of the transaction, but that she did not. This may be taken as a charge that mental weakness so subjected her to the dominance of the will of another that she, in fact, signed the paper not understanding its nature or consequences. If, in truth, the maker of a deed of gift, by reason of severe and protracted sickness, is so reduced by mental and physical weakness as to become the mere passive agent of the dominating will and suggestions of another, signing the paper under such influence, without a mental grasp of its nature, purpose, or effect, it may be regarded as the product of undue influence. Notwithstanding the weakened powers fully aroused and facing other conditions might be capable of the mental process of knowing the property, the person to whom it is to be conveyed, and the manner she wishes to dispose of it — to comprehend the subject-matter of the transaction and will to do it — still, if such weakened mentality furnishes the occasion and the opportunity to one in close confidential relations to interpose his own will and obtain a signature without such comprehension and will to act, this is undue influence.

In taking testimony, evidence was produced by expert witnesses and others tending to show mental incapacity — want of capacity to know and understand the nature of the transaction in which the donor was engaged. The suggestion is made that on an issue of undue influence alone, such testimony should be disregarded; that undue influence implies mental capacity, but controlled and supplanted by the will of another; that proof of mental incapacity disproves undue influence. We consider this position correct.

Without an averment putting in issue the question of mental capacity, testimony on that point, as distinguished from mental weakness in connection with undue influence, is not pertinent. We think the averments of the bill sufficient to raise the issue of the soundness of mind of the donor. While, as stated, it is not charged in terms she was of unsound mind, it is charged that, by reason of physical and mental weakness, she did not understand the nature or consequences of the act. This averment put in issue her mental condition. Evidence that she could not understand certainly supports an averment that she did not. Taking this view of the bill as urged by appellant, and followed in the production of evidence, a question recurs on the demurrer to the bill.

We have held that a bill to cancel a conveyance because the grantor is non compos mentis will not lie in favor of one out of possession, and having a present right to sue at law for possession. The deed being void, the remedy at law is deemed adequate. Lewis v. Alston, 184 Ala. 339, 63 So. 1008.

Undue influence is, within itself, an equitable ground for cancellation. The general rule obtains that a bill in the alternative must show equity in either alternative.

Is a bill for concellation on the ground of undue influence, with cumulative averments of mental incapacity, subject to demurrer? What state of proof will warrant the relief prayed?

There is general power in a court of equity to remove clouds from title by cancellation. It declines jurisdiction where the case presented shows an adequate remedy at law. Again, equity abhors a multiplicity of suits, and, when jurisdiction is obtained on equitable grounds, it proceeds to do complete equity.

In Shipman v. Furniss, 69 Ala. 555, 44 Am. Rep. 528, the bill was filed to cancel a deed for fraud and undue influence, and on the further ground that it was never delivered by the grantor. It was declared:

"The bill contains two distinct, independent grounds on which the claim to relief is based; and * * * if either ground is sufficient, its force is not impaired by the fact that it is joined cumulatively with another alleged ground, which, of itself, will not maintain the equity of the bill." Lewis v. Alston, 184 Ala. 339, 63 So. 1008.

The issues of undue influence and mental incapacity usually arise together. Both involve the state of mind of the donor or testator. The issue of unsoundness of mind in the execution of deeds rarely arises, except in connection with some question of undue influence. The issues are triable together in all will contests at law or in equity. The parties interested, as well as the trior of fact, may easily find the deed the result of one or the other, and not be able to decide clearly on which side of the shadowy border line between mental capacity and incapacity the case falls. Equity would furnish a very inadequate remedy, if, on averment and proof of all the elements of undue influence, such as confidential relations with dominating influence, accompanied with voluntary activity in the preparation and procurement of the deed, the complainant should be turned out of court, because it should at last appear the donor had, from sickness or otherwise, become incapable of making a deed. We hold that, upon averment and proof tending to support the main equity of the bill on the ground of undue influence, cumulative averments and proof of mental incapacity are allowable, and relief by cancellation is properly granted in either event. Letohatchie Baptist Church v. Bullock,133 Ala. 548, 32 So. 58.

The deed in question is in form one of bargain and sale for a valuable consideration, and grants a present title with full covenants of warranty, without reservation of the possession, income, or profits for the life of the grantor. It is conceded that the consideration expressed in the deed was not paid nor intended to be paid, and the property is claimed as a gift. It conveyed all the lands owned by the grantor, including the home where she then resided, and had resided for several years. It passed the right of immediate possession. It must be treated as a gift inter vivos. To give it effect as a testamentary disposition requires an assumption that the grantor was conscious of impending death; that her need of a home had terminated; and that she had no occasion for further use of the property. Bancroft v. Otis, 91 Ala. 279,8 So. 286, 24 Am. St. Rep. 904; Hutcheson v. Bibb, 142 Ala. 586,38 So. 754; Young v. Love, 186 Ala. 292, 65 So. 337.

The grantor was a widow, and the grantee occupied the relation of a stepson. This, without more, does not raise a presumption of confidential relations between them, such as the law implies from the relation of parent and child. Nelson v. Brown, 164 Ala. 397, 409, 51 So. 360, 137 Am. St. Rep. 61. Without reviewing the evidence, it sufficiently appears that confidential relations in fact did exist; that the stepmother looked to the stepson for business advice; committed her business largely to him; and reposed entire confidence in him.

The rule is fully established that as between parent and child the parent is presumed to be the dominant party, and hence, no presumption of undue influence arises merely from the confidential relations between them. The burden is on him who sets up undue influence in such case to show the natural relation has changed, and the child has become the dominant party to the transaction. This grows out of the family relation. During the years of childhood and youth the parent has the duty and authority to command and control; the child is dependent, is accustomed to obey and be directed, and normally has a growing reverence for the parent which persists through the years, unless conditions make it otherwise.

Whether this dominance of the stepmother over the stepchild obtains depends on this family relation. Where the son has reached manhood, gone out from the family roof, become his own master, and the father again marries, we cannot say as matter of law any presumption arises that the stepmother occupies a position of dominance over the stepson. However fine their relations may be, by reason of the common relation to the husband and father, there is not a position of control or dominance between them.

Again avoiding a review of the testimony, we think it appears the stepson was the dominant party in the relations between him and his stepmother. She looked to him and leaned on him for help and advice. In such case the duty obtains to protect and shield the weaker, and to take no advantage of confidence thus bestowed. Undue influence in such case does not rest upon that moral coercion which obtains in testamentary gifts — those which become effective after the donor's death, after the obligations of fidelity have ceased. Authorities, supra. On these principles the decree of the court below may well be sustained. However, much testimony and much argument here proceeds upon the view that the case should be considered one in the nature of a testamentary gift.

Aside from the evidence of confidential dominant relation of the donee, there is much evidence of his activity in the preparation and execution of the deed. It appears the property in greater part came by the husband, was the homestead at the time of his death in 1911. This had never been set apart to the widow, and upon her death would descend to his heirs, including another stepson of the donor. The donee suggested to her a disposition of her property while she yet lived. This led to proceedings to set it apart to the widow, so as to vest in her a complete title. It appears the donee paid the costs and expenses of this proceeding. By the time it was consummated, the donee, 68 years of age, had an attack of pernicious malarial fever. After high fevers for a few days, the fever subsided; at the end of a week the donee removed her from her home to his home; she grew weaker, her temperature became subnormal, and she died from this sickness at the end of two weeks. On the day before her death, the respondent consulted her physician as to the probability of her death; was advised that if she had business to be attended to, it should not be delayed; he then caused the deed to be prepared, and with the physician and notary presented and caused the deed to be made. The evidence does not sufficiently show that these latter activities were at the direction of the grantor. There is evidence that she had expressed a purpose to convey him the property, and it is a fair inference that she was proceeding with that in view when taken sick. Complainants' evidence tends to show the grantor was extremely weak, was asleep, or in a stupor, and was aroused by the donee; that she was propped up in bed and, being too weak to sign her name, the scrivener placed a pencil in her hand, then guided the hand and pencil while she signed the deed; that she then lay down and dropped off to sleep. It does not appear the contents of the deed were stated to her; the proceeding was carried out on the assumption that she was already advised of its contents. By the weight of the evidence, the only words spoken by her were to reply, "All right," when told they had come to make the deed, and her insistence that she sign her own name, when the suggestion was made that she make her mark. Her abrupt or jocular remark, "You don't think I'm a negro," or words of like effect, indicates a perception of the situation in the matter of signing the paper. It may indicate a sense of independent action, or a mere habitual show of make-believe independence. A careful study of the whole evidence impresses us that the case is brought within the general rule touching undue influence as defined in Coghill v. Kennedy, 119 Ala. 641,24 So. 459, and Bancroft v. Otis, 91 Ala. 279, 8 So. 286, 24 Am. St. Rep. 904, and that the respondent has failed to meet the burden of proof placed upon him.

We reach this conclusion without the aid of the presumption we indulge, where the testimony is taken orally before the trial judge. However, we do not think it a case in which the evidence is without such substantial conflict that this presumption should not be indulged. There is conflict in the evidence of the occurrences at the time the deed was signed. Some of respondent's testimony denies that the grantor was asleep, and that she was assisted in affixing her signature, claims she signed with a pen, etc. There is conflict between the expert witnesses on the effect of protracted malarial fever followed by death within 24 hours and further testimony tending to impeach a witness by conflicting statements. The nature of the issue rendered the presence, the bearing, the manner of the witnesses, and the general atmosphere of the case, great aids to the trial judge in passing upon the truth of the testimony, and the inferences to be drawn therefrom. His decision should not be disturbed, unless plainly and palpably erroneous.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.