Clodfelter v. Bates

260 S.E.2d 672 (1979) 44 N.C. App. 107

Fred C. CLODFELTER, Sr.
v.
R. L. BATES and Ruby Bates, Jim Peacock and Louise Peacock, Ned Beeker and Mary Beeker, William McCormick and Betty Sue McCormick, Bobby Joe Clodfelter and Amy Clodfelter and Fred Clodfelter Construction, Inc., and R. L. Bates, Trustee.

No. 7922SC287.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

December 4, 1979.

Billings, Burns & Wells by Donald R. Billings and Rhoda B. Billings, Winston-Salem, for plaintiff-appellant.

Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice by H. Grady Barnhill, Jr., and W. G. Champion Mitchell, Winston-Salem, for defendant-appellee, Ned Beeker.

Stoner, Bowers & Gray by Bob W. Bowers, Lexington, for defendants-appellees, R. L. Bates, Ruby Bates, Mary Beeker, Louise Peacock, Jim Peacock, Bobby Joe Clodfelter, Amy Clodfelter, Betty Sue McCormick and William McCormick.

VAUGHN, Judge.

Summary judgment is proper if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that any party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56(c). If a defendant moves for summary judgment, he assumes the burden of producing evidence of the necessary certitude which negatives plaintiff's claim. The burden of proof is reversed from what it would be if the case were at the trial stage. Tolbert v. Tea Company, 22 N.C.App. 491, 206 S.E.2d 816 (1974). Defendants must show (1) there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and (2) the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Singleton v. Stewart, 280 N.C. 460, 186 S.E.2d 400 (1972). If defendants clearly establish that there is no genuine issue as to the nonexistence of material facts which are necessary as an essential element of any cause of action against them, then they are entitled to summary judgment on that action.

Summary Judgment for Defendant Attorney Beeker.

Plaintiff's complaint against defendant attorney Beeker alleges claims for negligence (attorney malpractice), constructive fraud, interference with contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Plaintiff's own deposition contains evidence which refutes an essential element to each and every one of these claims. Summary judgment was proper for defendant attorney Beeker.

We need not reach the merits of the attorney malpractice claim for it is barred by the statute of limitations. This claim for attorney malpractice is based upon the contract of defendant Beeker with plaintiff to represent plaintiff in the defense of his second wife's action for alimony and his allegedly negligent advice to transfer his property to his children to avoid her claim against him for support. For actions filed on or after 1 January 1977, the statute of limitations for professional malpractice actions is found in G.S. 1-15(c) which provides, in part, that

"a cause of action for malpractice arising out of the performance of or failure to perform professional services shall be deemed to accrue at the time of the occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action: Provided that whenever there is . . . economic or monetary loss . . . which originates under circumstances making the injury, loss, defect or damage not readily apparent to the claimant at the time of its origin, and the injury, loss, defect or damage is discovered or should reasonably be discovered by the claimant two or more years after the occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action, suit must be commenced within one year from the date discovery is made: Provided nothing herein shall be construed to reduce the statute of limitation in any such case below three years. Provided further, that in no event shall an action be commenced more than four years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action . . . ."

This action was brought on 3 February 1977. In applying G.S. 1-15(c), we must find some action by defendant attorney Beeker after 3 February 1973 related to the transfer of property. The transfer of property to "dodge" a threatened action for alimony was advised by Beeker in the latter part of June, 1971 and the actual transfer of property occurred on 1 July 1971. It is at this point that Beeker allegedly injured plaintiff. Plaintiff's wife commenced an action for alimony on 6 August 1971 which was voluntarily dismissed on 15 November 1972. On 3 January 1973, defendant Beeker returned the $7,500.00 held in trust should the litigation become protracted and expensive thus keeping a $2,500.00 fee for handling the litigation and drafting the instruments transferring the property. The date of the transfer, the time of litigation and the time of payment are all beyond the four year limit for malpractice actions based on discovery of latent damage. Defendant did represent the Fred C. Clodfelter Construction Company, Inc. beyond this point and did represent plaintiff in a separate action for absolute divorce from the second wife instituted in 1975 on which judgment was rendered for plaintiff on 21 May 1975. Plaintiff paid defendant Beeker $217.00 for representation in this matter. Plaintiff discovered in mid April, 1976 that his children would not reconvey the property defendant Beeker had advised he convey to them. Assuming the last allegedly negligent act was the return of trust monies on 3 January 1973, the latent discovery provision of G.S. 1-15(c) would allow plaintiff to bring an action on or before 3 January 1977 for attorney malpractice. His claim filed on 3 February 1977 is, therefore barred.

Plaintiff's complaint also states with sufficient particularity a second cause of action against attorney Beeker for interference with contract. To recover for such a cause of action, plaintiff must show (1) that a contract existed between plaintiff and a third person, (2) that defendant had knowledge of plaintiff's contract with a third person, (3) that defendant intentionally induced the third person not to perform his contract with plaintiff, (4) that in so doing defendant acted without justification and (5) that defendant's acts caused plaintiff actual damages. Childress v. Abeles, 240 N.C. 667, 84 S.E.2d 176 (1954), rehearing denied, 242 N.C. 123, 86 S.E.2d 916 (1955). Summary judgment was appropriate for defendant attorney Beeker because he has met his burden by demonstrating that there is no material issue of fact on the third element of the claim. Even assuming there was a contract to reconvey on the part of the children, there is no evidence that Beeker intentionally induced the children not to perform the alleged contract with their father. The individual defendants when asked upon deposition testified that Beeker never intervened nor interfered with any plans they had to reconvey to their father. Beeker himself denied such interference. Plaintiff admitted in his own deposition that he had no actual knowledge of any such interference. All plaintiff has offered is an assumption that Beeker did so because "Somebody done it." Beeker did advise his wife "and some others" of possible gift tax consequences on a reconveyance but did not expressly suggest they not so convey. Plaintiff has not provided competent evidence to the contrary beyond his mere allegations and summary judgment was appropriately granted. Gudger v. Furniture, Inc., 30 N.C.App. 387, 226 S.E.2d 835 (1976).

Plaintiff also alleges a cause of action for constructive fraud against Beeker.

"These essential facts must appear in order to establish actionable fraud: `(1) a false representation or concealment of a material fact; (2) reasonably calculated to deceive; (3) made with intent to deceive; (4) and which does, in fact, deceive; (5) to the hurt of the injured party'.. . . Where a relation of trust and confidence exists between the parties, `there is a duty to disclose all material facts, and failure to do so constitutes fraud.'"

Vail v. Vail, 233 N.C. 109, 113-14, 63 S.E.2d 202, 205-06 (1950) (citations omitted). Plaintiff argues that because of the attorney-client relationship, which is a relationship of trust and confidence, there is fraud because attorney Beeker did not inform plaintiff of the danger in executing fee simple deeds and then attempting to engraft a parol trust and in making outright transfers or gifts of personalty. Plaintiff on deposition testified that he does not believe that it was attorney Beeker's plan to intentionally cheat him out of his property or to intentionally give him improper advice. Plaintiff's deposition further reveals that it was his intention to defraud or "dodge" his second wife from any rights in his property and that it was for this purpose that the transfers to the children were made with Beeker's assistance. Plaintiff's understanding from Beeker was that the children would "sign it back" after the divorce or whenever he wanted it. The problem arose when they would not "sign it back." This evidence of plaintiff that attorney Beeker told him his children would have to "sign it back" is sufficient indication that Beeker did not fail to disclose the material facts plaintiff alleges were not disclosed. He apparently made plaintiff aware of the need for a reconveyance or retransfer in order to get his property back. He did not lead plaintiff to believe he would get the property back automatically once he was divorced. Summary judgment was proper. See McLain v. Insurance Co., 224 N.C. 837, 32 S.E.2d 592 (1945).

By the same token, no breach of fiduciary duty or conflict of interest is shown. The alimony action was dismissed in late 1972 and all retainers returned in early 1973. The divorce action was concluded in May, 1975 and a separate fee paid for those services. When plaintiff again came to defendant Beeker in the spring of 1976, seeking the return of his property, Beeker told him to contact the children about reconveyance. Beeker's subsequent activity was as counsel for the company. In May of 1976, Beeker advised plaintiff to seek the advice of counsel. There was no conflict of interest or breach of fiduciary duty. Beeker's legal representation of plaintiff was in two separate actions. Conflict of interest is not sufficiently pled nor is there any evidence offered by plaintiff to contradict or question the evidence of defendant Beeker that he was acting only as counsel for the company at the time a conflict of interest is alleged. See Murphy v. Edwards and Warren, 36 N.C.App. 653, 245 S.E.2d 212, cert. den., 295 N.C. 551, 248 S.E.2d 728 (1978). Summary judgment on these claims was proper.

Summary Judgment for Defendant Children and their Spouses.

Plaintiff's complaint states causes of action against his children and their spouses for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of an agreement to reconvey. Summary judgment for various reasons was appropriate for all these defendants.

The children and their spouses, particularly son-in-law R. L. Bates as trustee for three of the children, did not breach any fiduciary duty owed to plaintiff. The family relationship of parent and child is not a fiduciary one. It does not raise a presumption of fraud or undue influence. Davis v. Davis, 236 N.C. 208, 72 S.E.2d 414 (1952). Plaintiff has presented no evidence that there was a fiduciary relationship with his children or their spouses except for Beeker whose fiduciary relationship as attorney has already been dealt with and Bates who was trustee for three of the children. Plaintiff testified that Bates did not participate in the drawing or setting up of the trusts. He simply performed his trust duties. He did not breach them.

On plaintiff's claim that these defendants breached a contract to reconvey allegedly entered into at the meeting in late June of 1971 before the transfers were made, we first note that defendant Bill McCormick was not married to plaintiff's daughter, Betty, defendant Bobby Joe Clodfelter was a minor and was not married to defendant, Amy Clodfelter. Betty McCormick was not present at the meeting. There could be no agreement by these parties. The remaining defendants, R. L. Bates, Ruby Bates, Louise Peacock, Jim Peacock and Mary Beeker who attended the June, 1971 meeting testified that the subject of reconveyance was discussed but they did not agree to it nor did they object. This is all that the evidence presents in a light most favorable to plaintiff. With this evidence, defendants have met their burden and shown that no contract to reconvey exists. Clearly, no agreement was reached. We further note that any claim plaintiff has based on the conveyance of his real property to his children retaining a life estate in himself is barred by the statute of frauds, G.S. 22-2, and the prohibition against engrafting a parol trust in favor of the grantor of a warranty deed. Walker v. Walker, 231 N.C. 54, 55 S.E.2d 801 (1949).

Plaintiff has not alleged a claim of fraud on the part of his children and the evidence does not show any definite and specific representation by the children which is materially false or any intent to defraud plaintiff.

Summary judgment for all defendants was appropriate and properly ruled on and entered by the presiding superior court judge. We have examined plaintiff's arguments for other causes of action and find them not properly pled and baseless.

Affirmed.

WEBB and HARRY C. MARTIN, JJ., concur.