Button v. Mitchell

1 Mich. N.P. 295

• Court: Michigan Circuit Court
• Decided: July 1, 1870
• Status: Published

Opinion

By the Court,

Mitchell, J:

The most important question raised by the demurrer, is whether the alleged adverse claims-are sufficiently set forth. The bill does not state under what title or supposed right any of the defendants claim, except that the minors claim as heirs of Harriet E. Brown.

So far as the bill shows, the supposed cloud is a mere naked assertion of claim, without any' foundation whatever. It does not show that John Mitchell claims as heir of Joseph Mitchell, nor in any manner allude to the nature of the claim he sets up. The other defendants are stated to claim as heirs of Harriet E. Brown, but what claim she had is not stated.

I think this is not enough — there must be something stated to show, to the Court that there is a claim that in .some way constitutes a cloud. A mere claim without foundation, cannot constitute a cloud requiring the aid of this Court to dispel. The adverse cloud should be so pointed out and described as to inform the Court of the necessity of its interposition.

“ In order to justify the interposition of a court of equity to remove a cloud from a title, the cloud must be appárantly good against the title for which the relief is sought.” Gamble vs. Loop, 14 Wisconsin, 465.

But for aught that appears in the bill, the defendants may have the true legal' title, and in that case a court of equity ought not to interfere to prevent its operation in a court of law, and so deny the parties the right of trial by a jury.

“ Where there is an outstanding legal title adverse to the actual pqssession, courts of equity only interfere when the adverse claimant neglects or refuses to proceed at law to have*the title determined.”

The bill states that John Mitchell not only sets up his claim but intends to and will sue at once to determine the title unless restrained &e.

In Stockton vs. Williams, Walker’s Chancery Report, 126, Chancellor Manning said “ The object of the statute(Laws of 1840. the same as Sec. 3490 of Comp’d Laws,) seems to be to enable a person in possession of réal estate and having a title thereto, to remove all doubts in regard, to his title arising from the claims of third persons, who are taking no steps to test the validity of their claim, either in law or equity, and who (by their refusal or neglect to institute proceedings for that purpose, keep the. party in possession in a state of suspense.

This is the extent, I think to which the Court should go «ader the statute.

In Moran vs. Palmer, 13 Mich., 370, Judge Cooley, in giving the opinion of the Court, says; The claimant of a legal title has a right to have the facts upon which his claim is based, submitted to a jury, and it is only when the remedy at law is inadequate, that'resort can be had to equity. Nothing is better settled than that equity will not aid in clearing a title to land where complainant's remedy at law is complete.”

TheseTviews of Chancellor Manning and of the Supreme Court, seem clearly to determine that it is not within the per- . view of the statute for this Court to entertain'a bill to restrain a claimant from doing the very thing, the not doing of which, would be a good ground for relief and the exercise of equity jurisdiction.

The bill in this respect asks the Court to restrain a party from persuing his legal rights and doing what the courts always encourage, i. e., testing in the proper courts and before a jury, mere legal claims and rights, that do not involve any question of fraud or other matter that cannot most properly be settled in a court of law.

Upon the suposition that John Mitchell claims as the so» and heir of Joseph Mitchell, this Court is called upon to interpret the granting clause in the will and to determine whether it conveyed an estate in fee to Emily Mitchell, or a limited, divided estate.

In considering this question, I think the Court bound by the same rules it would be in construing the granting clause in a deed. “ A doubt as to the legal construction of a deed is not a cloud on a title that a Court of equity can be called upon to clear away. — Brown vs. Austin, 35 Barb., 431.

The complainant in her bill «ays she is the legal owner, and so leaves no doubt for the Court, and nothing for the Court to do to make her title more perfect. A legal title would seem to be all that can be wanted, and she needs no aid to remove u» imaginary cloud.

The bill however leaves an implied question, that is alluded to, as it may possibly aid in determining the necessity of further litigation.

John Mitchell and Harriet E. Brown are said to be children of Joseph Mitchell. If born before the will was made, they' would have no rights to the land unless provided, for in the will.

If born since the will was made, no provision having been made therein for them, they have, under the provisions of Sec. 2849, of Comp’d Laws, the same share in the estate of the testator as if he had died intestate, and in that case the will to the mother had no effect as to their shares or portions and the will would not be a good source of title against them, “unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was the intention of the testator, that no provision should be made” for them.

The demurrer is sustained with costs, with leave to complainant, if so advised, to amend in ten clays from filing thereof. Otherwise., decree of dismissal.