Mestco Distributors, Inc. v. Stamps

824 S.W.2d 678, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 174, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 177, 1992 WL 8825
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedJanuary 23, 1992
DocketNo. A14-90-0691-CV
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 824 S.W.2d 678 (Mestco Distributors, Inc. v. Stamps) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

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Mestco Distributors, Inc. v. Stamps, 824 S.W.2d 678, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 174, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 177, 1992 WL 8825 (Tex. Ct. App. 1992).

Opinion

OPINION

ELLIS, Justice.

Appellant, Mestco Distributors, Inc., appeals a take nothing judgment on a suit filed to collect amounts due on seven unpaid promissory notes. Trial was to the court without a jury. Appellant argues in four points of error that the trial court erred as a matter of law and fact in finding that appellee executed and delivered the notes in a representative capacity only. We affirm.

On seven separate occasions from approximately May 1985 to December 1986, appellant loaned funds for business operations to Innovative Timber Specialties Inc., (ITS, Inc.) in which appellee and appellant were each share holders. The seven notes sued upon, totalling $107,241.88, were signed as follows:

Promissory Note 1 — May 17, 1985 signed:
I.T.S. Inc.
by Ralph W. Stamps
Seety. Treas.
Promissory Note 2 — June 25, 1985 signed:
Ralph W. Stamps
Promissory Note 3 — December 23, 1985 signed:
Innovative Timber Specialties Inc
by Secty-Treas Ralph W. Stamps
Promissory Note 4 — July 16, 1985 signed:
Ralph W. Stamps
Secty-Treas. I.T.S. Inc.
Promissory Note 5 — December 9, 1985 signed:
Ralph W. Stamps
Promissory Note 6 — August 6, 1986 signed:
Innovative Timber Specialties, Inc.
by Ralph W. Stamps
Promissory Note 7 — December 31, 1986 signed:
Ralph W. Stamps
Innovative Timber Specialties, Inc.
by: Secretary

[680]*680Although appellant sets out four separate points of error, only one error is argued and briefed. Appellant combines his first three points of error and challenges the single issue of whether the trial court erred in finding that appellee executed the promissory notes in a representative capacity. Despite the fact that only one of appellant’s points of error enumerates whether he is challenging this finding on factual or legal sufficiency of the evidence grounds, we presume, based on appellant’s arguments, that both factual and legal insufficiency challenges are being made. Also, point of error four presents no new legal arguments, but merely refers back to appellant’s arguments in points of error one through three. Since it presents nothing new for our consideration, it will not be considered separately.

When both legal and factual points are raised, we must first examine the legal sufficiency of the evidence. Glover v. Texas Gen. Indem. Co., 619 S.W.2d 400, 401 (Tex.1981). In reviewing the record for legal sufficiency, we are to consider only the evidence and inferences that tend to support the court’s finding and disregard evidence and inferences to the contrary. Sherman v. First Nat’l Bank, 760 S.W.2d 240, 242 (Tex.1988) (citations omitted). If there is any evidence of probative value to support the finding, we must uphold the finding. Id.; In re Kings Estate, 150 Tex. 662, 244 S.W.2d 660, 661 (1951). If the finding is legally sufficient, we must then weigh and consider all the evidence both in support of, and contrary to, the challenged findings. Id. The trial court’s findings must be upheld unless they are so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust or erroneous. Herbert v. Herbert, 754 S.W.2d 141, 144 (Tex.1988); Pool v. Ford Motor, 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex.1986). We may not substitute our opinion for that of the trier facts merely because we have reached a different conclusion. Id.

Appellant argues that none of the promissory notes meet the requirements of Section 3.403 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, and, therefore, appellee was required to present evidence to overcome the presumption of individual liability as to all seven notes. TexBus. & Com.Code Ann. § 3.403(c) (Vernon 1968). We disagree. Section 3.403(c) provides that a signature is established as being in a representative capacity if it has the name of an organization proceeded or followed by an authorized individual’s name and office. Id. Four of the promissory notes meet these requirements (May 17, 1985 — signed I.T.S. Inc. by Ralph W. Stamps Secty Treas; December 23, 1985 — signed Innovative Timber Specialties Inc. Secty-Treas. Ralph W. Stamps; July 16, 1985 — signed Ralph W. Stamps Secty-Treas I.T.S. Inc.; December 31, 1986 — signed Ralph W. Stamps Innovative Specialties Inc., by: Secretary). Clearly, these notes listed the name of the organization followed or proceeded by Ralph Stamps’ name and his office, designated as Secretary or Secty-Treas. Appellant does not address these notes specifically, therefore, we are not clear why appellant makes the assertion that these notes do not comply with Section 3.403. Accordingly, there was evidence of probative value to support the trial court’s finding that these four notes were executed in a representative capacity.

Three of the promissory notes clearly did not meet the requirements of Sec. 3.403. Two notes were signed solely with Ralph Stamps’ name, and one note was signed “Innovative Timber Specialties, Inc. by Ralph W. Stamps.” As appellant correctly points out, if a signature is not shown to be in a representative capacity pursuant to 3.403(c), the signer/maker, in a dispute between the immediate parties, has the burden to offer proof that he signed only in a representative capacity. A. Duda & Sons, Inc. v. Madera, 687 S.W.2d 83, 85 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1985, no writ) (citing Seale v. Nichols, 505 S.W.2d 251 (Tex.1974)). Appellant argues that there was no evidence to overcome the presumption of individual liability in this case, because there was no evidence establishing that appellee communicated his intent to sign in a representative capacity to [681]*681appellant. We disagree. Appellant cites to language in Seale v. Nichols, 505 S.W.2d 251, 255 (Tex.1974) to support his contention that the intent to sign as a representative must be “communicated” to the other party. Nevertheless, appellant fails to note the language in Griffin v. Ellinger, 538 S.W.2d 97, 100 (Tex.1976) which further explains what evidence is admissible between the immediate parties to show what the parties agreed to or otherwise understood regarding the signer’s liability:

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824 S.W.2d 678, 17 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 174, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 177, 1992 WL 8825, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mestco-distributors-inc-v-stamps-texapp-1992.