Brin v. Michalski

154 N.W. 110, 188 Mich. 400, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 1061
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 29, 1915
DocketDocket No. 96
StatusPublished
Cited by31 cases

This text of 154 N.W. 110 (Brin v. Michalski) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Brin v. Michalski, 154 N.W. 110, 188 Mich. 400, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 1061 (Mich. 1915).

Opinion

Steere, J.

This bill was filed to compel specific performance of the following land contract which complainant holds as assignee through mesne conveyances from, the original contractee:

“$50.00 Detroit, Mich., June 19, 1912.
“Received of Sam Feldman the sum of fifty dollars, being part payment of purchase price of five thousand four hundred ($5,400.00) dollars for house and lot situated Nos. 847 and 349 north side of Alexandrine Avenue E., Detroit, Michigan. The balance of five thousand three hundred and fifty ($5,350.00) dollars to be paid as follows: The above-named Sam Feldman is to pay nine hundred and fifty ($950) dollars within [402]*402thirty days from date hereof, and receive a land contract for the payment of one thousand dollars, which includes the above payment, and the balance of four thousand four hundred ($4,400.00) dollars within five years from the date of the land contract, in semiannual payments of $100.00 or more, to apply on the principal, with interest thereon at the rate of six per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually. The undersigned Dominik Michalski and Anna Michalski, his wife, are to mortgage the above-described premises for the sum of two thousand one hundred ($2,100.00) dollars
“Dominik Michalski,
“Anna Michalski,
“Owners.
“Sam Feldman,
“Purchaser.
“In presence of B. F. Do'mzalski.”

The bill alleges tender of full performance by her within the time limit, demand for performance by defendants and refusal on their part, makes proffer to deposit the stipulated price with the court, and asks:

“That the said defendants, Dominik Michalski and Anna Michalski, may be decreed to execute, acknowledge, and deliver to your oratrix a good and sufficient land contract of said described premises, in accordance with the terms and conditions in said contract mentioned and set forth, accept and receive therefor the sum of five thousand four hundred dollars ($5,400) in the manner specified in the aforesaid contract, and that your oratrix may have such other and further relief as the nature of this case may require, and as shall be agreeable to equity and good conscience.”

Defendants’ answer denies that any offer of performance or tender was ever made them within the time specified in the contract by complainant or any one in her behalf, avers that all matters of complaint alleged in said bill are triable in an action at law, and therefore claims the benefit of a demurrer, and asks that her bill be dismissed.

[403]*403‘ The contract was drafted by Mr. Domzalski, an attorney who represented defendants in the transaction and signed as subscribing witness.- After preparing the instrument he read it to- them, translating and explaining its nature and terms to them in the Polish language, which they best spoke and understood. They expressed themselves as satisfied, accepted the first payment of $50 from Feldman, and signed the agreement. No claim is made of inadequacy of price, fraud, undue advantage, or misunderstanding, or that the instrument-failed in any particular to express the terms of the bargain as made.

Feldman soon sold and assigned his contract to one Leon Van Vliet, at the same time giving with the contract a quitclaim deed of his interest in the property described in it. Van Vliet shortly thereafter in like manner assigned the contract and quitclaimed his interest to complainant, Frances V. Brin, his sister. Defendants had some time previous purchased this property with deferred payments, and held it by a land contract from one Anton Skotzke, who yet had the fee title, subject to their contract, upon which payments had been regularly made and which was not in default. Their contract from Skotzke contained no restrictions against selling and assigning their rights -under it; nor any obstructing provisions which would prevent them from carrying out the terms of their contract with’ Feldman.

The case was heard upon pleadings and proofs taken in open court. On conclusion of the hearing the trial court rendered a decree granting specific performance of said contract according to its terms and as prayed for in complainant’s bill.

The substance of the testimony introduced by complainant is that on July 12, 1912, she called up defendants, accompanied by a Mr. Zack, who knew the'parties and was present in Domzalski’s office when they gave [404]*404the contract to Feldman, and talked with them about the contract, telling them she proposed to buy the property; that Michalski replied it made no difference who bought the property, and it was all right; that she soon thereafter, on July 17th or 18th, called upon defendants at their home to pay them the $950 which the contract provided should be paid “within thirty days from the date hereof,” and upon being informed of her mission, they told her to go to their lawyer, Mr. Domzalski, which she did, and there met with him and them in his office; that she told him to make out the necessary papers and counted out to him the full amount of $950 as payment upon the contract, which he then offered to defendants, explaining fully to them what it was for, her purpose in tendering it to them, and her request that they comply with the terms of the agreement. They refused to accept the tender, and repudiated the contract on the ground, as she claims, that they were offered more money for the property. On July 19, 1912, she personally served written notice upon defendants, describing the contract and assignments under which she acquired Feldman’s rights, stating that she was yet ready and willing to perform, desired to close the transaction at once, requesting that she be advised by July 24, 1912, whether they would accept payment and perform on their part. Upon their again refusing, this bill for specific performance was prepared and soon filed.

The only issue of fact raised by defendants’ evidence was tender of payment within the contract time. They were the only witnesses in support of their denial of tender. Their testimony is so inconsistent, conflicting, and completely overwhelmed by distinct and direct evidence, both oral and written, to the contrary, as to call for little consideration. Finding no fault with the contract itself, and expressing themselves as ready to accept payment if offered within the specified time, and [405]*405in such case perform on their part, they testified that no offer of payment or tender of any kind was ever made them, although they waited in receptive expectation for months after the time had expired. Both testified that complainant did not come to their house and offer payment. Dominick stated she once “said she would pay next week, and I ¡waited two or three months, and I got not a penny.” His wife, Anna, the other defendant, testified that they waited for complainant until November; that they were told to go to their attorney’s office to get their money on two different dates, July 18th and 24th, and went each time, but no one was there and they never got their money. Mr.

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Bluebook (online)
154 N.W. 110, 188 Mich. 400, 1915 Mich. LEXIS 1061, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/brin-v-michalski-mich-1915.