Bencoe v. Bencoe

305 P.2d 370, 62 N.M. 95
CourtNew Mexico Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 26, 1956
Docket6114
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 305 P.2d 370 (Bencoe v. Bencoe) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bencoe v. Bencoe, 305 P.2d 370, 62 N.M. 95 (N.M. 1956).

Opinion

LUJAN, Justice.

On October 15, 1954, plaintiff-appellant filed his complaint seeking to recover judgment against the defendant-appellee by reason of defendant’s alleged failure to comply with certain agreements entered into between the plaintiff and defendant relative to a limited partnership. The complaint alleged four causes of action. By his first cause of action the plaintiff sought recovery of judgment in the amount of $4,000 and costs of suit for the alleged failure of defendant to comply with the terms of an agreement concerning the sharing of income between the parties and settling an alleged indebtedness in the amount of $4,000. The second cause of action sought recovery of $4,000 on an alleged account stated between the parties. The third cause of action sought recovery of judgment for $10,549.95; and the fourth cause of action sought recovery of $7,549.95. Both the third and fourth causes of action are based upon claims that defendant failed to comply with the terms of an agreement between the parties whereby plaintiff agreed to sell to defendant one-half of his interest in a limited partnership. Under the terms of this agreement a new partnership or corporation was to be formed, but neither was ever formed.

' On November 22, 1954, defendant filed his answer generally denying the allegations of the complaint and further alleged: "Defendant denies that on or about the 28th day of August 1954, defendant totally repudiated said contract, and states that said contract was never acted upon • by either the plaintiff or defendant and that said contract is void and unenforceable; and admits that no new partnership or corporation was formed in accordance with the agreement set forth as plaintiff’s Exhibit ‘A’, but denies that plaintiff was without fault as alleged in the complaint.”

Paragraph 2 of the agreement entered into by the parties on April 10, 1947, provides as follows:

“Paul agrees to sell, assign and transfer to Denis, one-half of his interest and share of Bencoe, Meader Co. (exclusive of salary compensation) for the sum of $10,549.95, which amount was determined by applying to the net worth of Bencoe, Meader Co. at the opening of business on November, 1946, one-half of Paul’s profit sharing ratio under the aforesaid amended Articles of Limited Partnership, which net worth was ascertained from the books in conformity with the established accounting practices, and accepted and approved by the parties hereto. Said purchase price is to be paid simultaneously with the execution of the limited partnership agreement making Denis a general partner of Bencoe Meader Co., or the organization of the Corporation as aforesaid.”

Paragraph 5, provides:

“Pending the consummation of the new limited partnership agreement, or of the corporation in accordance with Article X hereof, Paul shall pay to Denis as and when ascertained or determined from the books of Bencoe, Meader Co., according to standard accounting practice, one-half of all profits, bonuses or benefits (exclusive of weekly salary or drawing) accruing to Paul on and after November 1, 1946, on account of his interest as general partner in the present Bencoe, Meader Co. (exclusive of his weekly salary or drawing) and Denis shall reimburse Paul to the extent of one-half of any diminution or loss that Paul may suffer or sustain of his interest or share of the present firm of Bencoe, Meader Co. on and after November 1, 1946, as and when such diminution or loss is ascertained or determined from the books of said firm according to standard accounting practice, the purpose and intention of the said parties being that as between them, they will equalize all gains or -losses that accrue to or are sustained by Paul on and after November 1, 1946, arising from the present partnership business-of Bencoe, Mead-er Co.” (Emphasis supplied.)

• When the plaintiff rested his case the defendant moved the court to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint for the reason that he had not shown substantial evidence upon which the court could base a decision under any one of the four causes of actions set forth in said complaint.

“The Court: Well, to'the court, the answer to the third and fourth causes of action is relatively simple. In the first place, under paragraph 2 this ■ money was not due to be paid, specifically: ‘Said purchase price is to be paid simultaneously with the execution of the limited partnership agreement making Denis a general partner of Bencoe, Meader Co., or the organization of the Corporation as aforesaid.’ And the plaintiff admitted it wasn’t done, so unless and until that is taken care of, there can be no cause of action in that regard. As to the diminution of the loss, as counsel for defendant stated, the burden is not on the defendant to prove these things. The burden is on the plaintiff, and paragraph S specifically say, ‘as and when such diminution or loss is ascertained or determined from the books of said firm according to standard accounting practice, ’ and there isn’t one iota of testimony with reference to standard accounting practices or diminution of loss. Counsel must agree it just isn’t there. So the motion will be granted as to the third and fourth cause of action.
“Now, as to the first and second causes of action, it is, to me it is a little more complicated than either counsel would like to have it. I think the court can answer as to the account stated, the second cause of action, and that is that the motion will have to be sustained because the account stated is based upon the original contract which the court has just ruled upon, and there was nothing due at that time, nothing due under that contract until the partnership was formed. The court has a great deal of sympathy for the plaintiff in this thing. It is a peculiar thing— not minimizing your situation, Mr. Bencoe, but it is a peculiar thing, but the motion will be sustained as to count 2. That brings us to count one. The court is not going to rule on it at this time. The ruling will be deferred until the defendant puts on a case, and the court will rule on it at the close of all the testimony.”
“Mr. Paulantis: The defendant stands on its motion, Your Honor, and will not put on any evidence in the face of our position.
“The Court: I understand. Any final argument gentlemen — as I understand it, the defendant rests?
“Mr. Paulantis: Yes, sir, defendant rests.
“The Court: Any final argument, gentlemen ?
“Mr. French: I can add nothing, Your Honor; I have no further argument.”

Thereafter the court made and entered a judgment dismissing plaintiff’s complaint and he appeals.

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Bluebook (online)
305 P.2d 370, 62 N.M. 95, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bencoe-v-bencoe-nm-1956.