In re the Estate of Young

Michigan Supreme Court

In re the Estate of Young

39 Mich. 429, 1878 Mich. LEXIS 320

Michigan Supreme Court·Decided October 22, 1878·Published·Cited by 7 cases

Opinion

Marston, J.

We are of opinion that the court erred in withdrawing this case from the consideration of the jury, and in charging that the facts proved were not sufficient to entitle the claimant to a verdict.

The case should have been submitted to the jury under proper instructions, as it was for them to say whether, under all the facts and circumstances in the case, there was a promise to pay.

[431] The relationship existing between the parties at the time the claim accrued would not be conclusive against the right to recover, even although no express promise to pay was proven. No absolute rule can be laid down; each case must be determined as it arises. Facts apparently light and trivial may in one case indicate that no compensation was intended or contemplated by either party, while in another, the same or similar facts, in the light of all the surrounding circumstances, such as the degree of relationship existing, the wealth and social position of the respective parties, the services performed, and the nature and character of the same, may with more or less clearness point to an entirely different conclusion. The charge of the court must have proceeded upon the theory that the relationship existing, in the absence of an express promise, was a complete legal bar to 'the right to recover in any and all such cases. Such we think is not the law. It may raise a strong presumption, but’ it is not by any means conclusive.

The judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered, with costs.

The other Justices concurred.

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Marston, J.

We are of opinion that the court erred in withdrawing this case from the consideration of the jury, and in charging that the facts proved were not sufficient to entitle the claimant to a verdict.

The case should have been submitted to the jury under proper instructions, as it was for them to say whether, under all the facts and circumstances in the case, there was a promise to pay.

[431] The relationship existing between the parties at the time the claim accrued would not be conclusive against the right to recover, even although no express promise to pay was proven. No absolute rule can be laid down; each case must be determined as it arises. Facts apparently light and trivial may in one case indicate that no compensation was intended or contemplated by either party, while in another, the same or similar facts, in the light of all the surrounding circumstances, such as the degree of relationship existing, the wealth and social position of the respective parties, the services performed, and the nature and character of the same, may with more or less clearness point to an entirely different conclusion. The charge of the court must have proceeded upon the theory that the relationship existing, in the absence of an express promise, was a complete legal bar to 'the right to recover in any and all such cases. Such we think is not the law. It may raise a strong presumption, but’ it is not by any means conclusive.

The judgment must be reversed and a new trial ordered, with costs.

The other Justices concurred.

In re the Estate of Young, 39 Mich. 429, 1878 Mich. LEXIS 320 (Mich. 1878).

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Opinion

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