In Re Estate of Walker

238 N.W. 58, 184 Minn. 164, 76 A.L.R. 1450, 1931 Minn. LEXIS 1033
Supreme Court of Minnesota·Decided September 25, 1931·No. No. 28,574.·Published·Cited by 5 cases

Opinions

Dibell, J.

The claim of the Minneapolis Central City Market Company for $147,303.90 against the estate of Thomas Barlow' Walker was allowed by the probate court of Hennepin county. Upon a trial de novo on appeal to the district court the claim was disallowed. The market company appealed from the district court judgment of dis-allowance. The state was admitted a party because the claim, if allowed, was a deductible item in the imposition of inheritance taxes. The state’s claim is that the debt wras barred when presented. *166 The executors of the estate favor the allowance of the claim. They do not appear on this appeal.

These questions are presented:

(1) Whether the claim was barred; it being the contention of the market company that the claim was one against which the statute did not commence to run until demand was made.

(2) Whether there was a part payment which tolled the statute.

(3) Whether there was a written acknowledgment of the debt which tolled the statute.

(4) Whether the executors can waive the bar of the statute.

Thomas B. Walker died on July 28, 1928, the owner of a large estate. The hearing on claims was set for May 6, 1929. The claim of the market company for $147,303.90 was presented on July 25, 1929. On the same day the executors, by their petition, asked that it be allowed. On July 26, 1929, it was allowed. The allowance was vacated, and the state was allowed to intervene to protect its claimed succession tax. On the hearing the claim was allowed by the probate court. On appeal to the district court and on a trial de novo it was disallowed by judgment of date March 26, 1931, and this is the judgment involved on this appeal.

One claim of the market company is that the debt was due only on demand in fact, which it was contemplated by the parties would not be made until an indefinite time in the future, and therefore the statute is not controlling as to seasonable time nor the time of commencement of its running. The statutory period is six years. They rely largely upon Fallon v. Fallon, 110 Minn. 213, 124 N. W. 994, 32 L.R.A. (N.S.) 486, 136 A. S. R. 464, and Andrews v. Andrews, 170 Minn. 175, 212 N. W. 408, 213 N. W. 899, 51 A. L. R. 542. So far as this claim involves a question of fact, and to some extent it does, it has been determined by the trial court adversely to the company. The company’s contention cannot be sustained. The account in the books of the market company and Walker ran from 1914 to 1918, with transactions noted for each year. In the latter year there was but one and that on November 1. There were no other entries until 1928. On February 1 of that year there was *167 a notation that a new ledger was opened. On February 8, 1928, there was a debit and credit entry to correct a mistake of $52,760 noted later. Numerous cases illustrating the principle for which the executors contend are cited in 4 Dunnell, Minn. Dig. (2 ed. & Supp.) § 5602. Among them Are find none requiring a holding different from that of the trial court. The beneficiaries who are the executors or substantially so did not present their claim until July 25, 1929. The date for filing claims Avas May 6, 1929. One might almost infer that owing to the unity of interests it Avas not thought important, or that the claim was regarded as barred.

Considerable attention is given in the briefs to the Red River Lumber Company, of which Walker Avas largely the owner, and to which he made loans and gave money. The large amount of the market company’s claim was made up of an item of $135,554.90 which was OAving by the lumber company to the market company and assumed by Walker on October 30, 1916, and charged on the books to him. This does not seem important on the real issue. It shoAvs the relationship of Walker to the two companies and of the three among themselves. Nothing in connection therewith suggests that the debt Avas to be paid indefinitely in the future.

The executors claim that a payment Avas made Avhich tolled the statute. Their reference is to the item of $52,760, entered on February 8, 1928, as a debit on the books of Walker and a credit on the books of the market company. It arose in this way: Property of the market company Avas condemned. Walker’s share, based on his stock, would have been the amount stated. It is agreed that the credit to him Avas an error. The charge of February 8, 1928, was to correct it. The condemnation Avas in 1915. The entry of February 8 was not a payment. It was made so that the account Avould show true. It stated the history of the dealings of the company and Walker accurately by correcting an error in bookkeeping of 13 years before. The same bookkeeper kept the books of Walker, the market company, and the Red River Lumber Company, a Walker company. The correction was made after the six years had run. There is no question but that such a correction does not toll the statute. Erpelding v. Ludwig, 39 Minn. 518, 40 *168 N. W. 829; Reeves v. Sawyer, 88 Minn. 218, 92 N. W. 962; 4 Dunnell, Minn. Dig. (2 ed.) § 5632, and cases cited. Other cases are in accord. See Pettus v. Rawls, 131 Ark. 125, 198 S. W. 874; Brown’s Admr. v. Osborne, 136 Ky. 456, 124 S. W. 405; J. M. Arthur & Co. v. Burke, 83 Wash. 690, 145 P. 974; Am. Dig. Lim. of Act. § 159. The rule of extension by part payment is not greatly favored. Olson v. Dahl, 99 Minn. 433, 109 N. W. 1001, 8 L.R.A. (N.S.) 444, 116 A. S. R. 435, 9 Ann. Cas. 252; Anderson v. Nystrom, 103 Minn. 168, 114 N. W. 742, 13 L.R.A.(N.S.) 1141, 123 A. S. R. 320, 14 Ann. Cas. 54.

The charter of the market company expired. In 1926 the present company was formed and took over its assets. Walker signed a waiver of notice of the first meeting of the stockholders of the new company. At this meeting a resolution was passed reciting that the new corporation was formed to take over the assets of the other. He did not sign the minutes. So far as appears he did not directly or indirectly participate. The statute provides:

“No acknowledgment or promise shall be evidence of a new or continuing contract sufficient to take the case out of the operation of this chapter, unless the same is contained in some writing signed by the party to be charged thereby.” G. S. 1923 (2 Mason, 1927) § 9204.

The signing of a waiver of notice of the meeting of stockholders, under the circumstances stated, did not toll the statute. See 4 Dunnell, Minn. Dig. (2 ed.) § 5623, et seq; Am. Dig. Lim. of Act. § 138, et seq.

The market company claims that the executors properly might and did waive the bar of the statute. The inheritance tax provides:

“A tax shall be and is hereby imposed upon any transfer of property, real, personal or mixed, or any interest therein * * when the transfer is by will or by the intestate laws of this state.” G. S. 1923 (1 Mason, 1927) § 2292.

The tax is computed upon the full value of the property subject to exemptions. § 2293. It is to “take effect at and upon the, death *169 of tlie person from whom the transfer is made and shall be due and payable at the expiration of one year from such death, except as otherwise provided in this act.” § 2294.

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In Re Estate of Walker, 238 N.W. 58, 184 Minn. 164, 76 A.L.R. 1450, 1931 Minn. LEXIS 1033 (Mich. 1931).

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