Brenholts v. Miller

101 P. 998, 80 Kan. 185, 1909 Kan. LEXIS 43

• Court: Supreme Court of Kansas
• Decided: May 8, 1909
• Docket: No. 16,023
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Benson, J.:

The only question in this casé is. whether a judgment entered by default quieting title upon a tax deed set out in the petition is void merely because the tax deed' is, upon its face, void as a conveyance. The argument is that because the petition affirmatively showed want of title in the plaintiff under-the tax deed a valid judgment could not be rendered in his favor, and that the judgment in fact entered thereon should be set aside as a nullity under section 575 of the civil code.

The motion filed by the defendant to set aside the judgment on this ground was properly denied. The court had jurisdiction of the parties and of the subject-matter, ánd the petition challenged judicial action. It averred that the plaintiff was the owner of the land and in possession thereof, and that the claims of the-defendant thereto were groundless, but cast a cloud upon the plaintiff’s title, which he prayed should be quieted.

The tax deed was not a nullity, but gave the plaintiff rights and equities in the land, although void as a muniment of title. (Cohen v. St. L., Ft. S. & W. Rld. Co., 34 Kan. 158; Pierce v. Adams, 11 Kan. 46.) Whether it conveyed the title, however, or was only evidence of a lien for' taxes, or what its legal effect was, were questions presented to the court, requiring judicial consideration and determination. If the court erred in its judgment upon these matters such error could only be corrected by appropriate proceedings, which were not taken. The judgment is therefore conclusive between the parties.

After a court has obtained jurisdiction an erroneous decision does not render the judgment void. (Hodgin v. Barton, 23 Kan. 740; Walkenhorst v. Lewis, 24 Kan. 420; Clevenger v. Figley, 68 Kan. 699; Taylor v. Coots, 32 Neb. 30.) Trials are upon issues of law as well as of fact. (Civ. code, § 265.) Where a demurrer is interposed specifying that the petition does not state a cause of action, the judgment entered thereon is a final judgment, although it presents only an issue of law. (Brown v. Kirkbride, 19 Kan. 588.)

“It is well settled that an issue so determined is a bar, not only to any dispute as to the facts, but also as to any further consideration of the law bearing on the case.” (Hyatt v. Challiss, 59 Kan. 422, 427.)

If the defendant’s contention is correct, then in any case where a petition would be held insufficient to state a cause of action, if demurred to, it would be better not to incur the expense of presenting a demurrer and taking an appeal from an adverse ruling, since the final judgment might at any time be set aside on motion. A party who is summoned in the course of a regular judicial proceéding, either personally or by publication, in a court having jurisdiction, will have his day in court, and must appear and take the proper ■steps to protect his interests within the time allowed for that purpose. Opportunity may not knock again -at his door.

The order denying the motion to set aside the judgment is affirmed.