Birmingham Fire Casualty Company v. Lewis

133 So. 2d 876, 272 Ala. 685, 1961 Ala. LEXIS 541
CourtSupreme Court of Alabama
DecidedSeptember 21, 1961
Docket6 Div. 584
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 133 So. 2d 876 (Birmingham Fire Casualty Company v. Lewis) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Alabama primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Birmingham Fire Casualty Company v. Lewis, 133 So. 2d 876, 272 Ala. 685, 1961 Ala. LEXIS 541 (Ala. 1961).

Opinion

LAWSON, Justice.

In 1954 Donald C. Lewis and wife bought a farm, farm equipment and livestock from A. C. Layfield.

The Lewises made a down payment and executed a note to Layfield for the balance. The Lewises also executed a purchase. money mortgage to Layfield to secure the payment of the note.

Layfield remained in possession of the property and refused to delive'r possession when demand therefor was made by the Lewises.

Later Layfield claimed that the Lewises were in default in the payment of the debt secured by the mortgage and had the mortgage foreclosed.

The Lewises, on June 18, 1956, filed a bill in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, in Equity, against Layfield. The bill was amended on May 7, 1957. The cause was given Circuit Court No. 102-686.

In their amended bill the Lewises alleged, among other things, that the mortgage was not in default at time of foreclosure; that the note and mortgage were fraudulently altered by Layfield after delivery to him.

The Lewises in their amended bill prayed that the court decree: (1) that the note and mortgage are invalid because of the fraudulent alterations and asked the court to enjoin their transfer; (2) that the mortgage foreclosure proceedings, including the foreclosure deed, are invalid. There was also a prayer for a writ of assistance and for delivery of the personal property to the Lewises and for damages for conversion and detention of the personal property and for use and occupation of the real property.

Layfield filed an answer and cross-bill wherein he prayed for an equitable lien on the real property to secure the balance due on the purchase price.

On June 26, 1957, a final decree was entered wherein the trial court (1) deleted from the note and mortgage the provisions which it found Layfield had inserted without the knowledge of the Lewises; (2) declared that the lien contained in the mortgage was unenforceable; (3) enjoined Layfield from transferring or assigning the mortgage on the representation that it was security for the property therein described; (4) vacated and set aside the mortgage foreclosure and can-celled of record the foreclosure deed; (5) permanently enjoined Layfield from fore[687]*687.'closing or attempting to foreclose on the property described in the mortgage; (6) awarded the Lewises the sum of $150 as damages; (7) divested Layfield of all right, title or interest in the suit property; (8) ordered Layfield to surrender forthwith the possession of the property to the Lewises; (9) taxed costs against Layfield.

No relief was awarded to Layfield under his cross-hill.

Layfield appealed to this court. He filed a bond to secure the costs of appeal and a supersedeas bond on July 3, 1957. By virtue of the supersedeas bond Layfield remained in possession of the property.

The cause was submitted here on December 4, 1957. There were cross-assignments of error by the Lewises.

On July 24, 1958, we affirmed the final decree of the Circuit Court in all respects except to decree that Layfield had ah equitable lien on the property to secure the balance due on the purchase price. The Lewises filed an application for rehearing on August 6, 1958. On March 19, 1959, we overruled the application for rehearing after correcting the original opinion in a respect not here material. Layfield v. Lewis, 268 Ala. 666, 109 So.2d 838.

Layfield remained in possession of the property until August 2, 1958, at which time he removed the Layfield family belongings from the farm.

. During the late hours of August 2 or the early hours of August 3, 1958, the dwelling on the farm was completely destroyed by fire. The Lewises were never .in possession of the dwelling.

On May 26, 1959, the Lewises filed in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, in Equity, a bill which they have designated as an “Original Bill in the Nature of a Supplemental Bill and to Enforce Decree in Cause No. 102-686.”

‘ A. C. Layfield, Bankers Fire & Marine Insurance Company, and Birmingham Fire & Casualty Company were'made respondents.

As to respondent Layfield, the bill filed on May 26, 1959, relates the facts and circumstances connected with the previous litigation between the Lewises and Lay-field which culminated in our opinion and decree in Layfield v. Lewis, supra.

In addition, that bill alleged in regard to Layfield that he had not surrendered pos■session of the property to the Lewises, who are prevented from taking possession because of threats made on behalf of and instigated by Layfield and that the Lewises will not be able, to take possession of the property unless aided by an appropriate 'writ to be executed by the Sheriff of Jefferson County.

The bill also alleges that Layfield is due to account to the Lewises for the rental value of the property involved and there is a claim for the reasonable market value of the personal property not recovered by the Lewises.

The bill also claims from Layfield the difference in the market value of the house which was burned and the amount of insurance recovered by or for the benefit of the Lewises by reason of its destruction by fire and further avers that-the loss by fire was proximately caused by the wrongful or negligent conduct of Layfield. .

It is alleged in the bill that the Lewises have paid to the Register , all accrued installments due on the lien. ' •.

It is also alleged that'there is a conspiracy between Layfield and his kinsmen to threaten the Lewises with bodily harm 'or injury so as to deprive them from the enjoyment of their property and that Lay-field has created resentment in the neighborhood by spreading false statements ■charging the Lewises with wrongdoing.'

As to the respondent Layfield the bill prays for the following relief:

(1) A writ of - assistance or other appropriate writ to enforce the decree in the [688]*688cause given Circuit Court No. 102-686 as modified by this court;

(2) A temporary injunction or restraining order enjoining and restraining Lay-field from interfering with the possession, use and enjoyment of the property by the Lewises;

(3) A decree against Layfield in favor of complainants for damages:

(a) For use or occupation or reasonable rental value of the real and personal property in a total sum of $1,600;

(b) The reasonable market value of the items of personal property not recovered or delivered to complainants;

(c) The difference between the market value of the destroyed farm house and the net amount of insurance recovered by or for the benefit of the Lewises;

(4) That the amount so decreed be set off against the balance due on the lien.

In regard to the respondent Bankers Fire & Marine Insurance Company, the bill filed on May 26, 1959, alleges that on April 4, 1958, while the appeal in the case of Layfield v. Lewis, supra, was pending in this court, the Bankers Fire & Marine Insurance Company insured the dwelling house which was destroyed by fire on or about August 2, 1958, against loss or injury by fire for a term of one year in the amount of $4,000, which policy of insurance was issued to the Lewises and did by its terms insure their interest in the dwelling house.

The bill prays in regard to the respondent Bankers Fire & Marine Insurance Company that the court render: “A

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372 So. 2d 1297 (Supreme Court of Alabama, 1979)

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Bluebook (online)
133 So. 2d 876, 272 Ala. 685, 1961 Ala. LEXIS 541, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/birmingham-fire-casualty-company-v-lewis-ala-1961.