Miller v. Ferrell

11 Ky. Op. 48, 2 Ky. L. Rptr. 227, 1881 Ky. LEXIS 133

• Court: Court of Appeals of Kentucky
• Decided: February 15, 1881
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion by

Judge Cofer:

The appellant is assignee in bankruptcy of John Cravens, and has in his hands as such the dividends on a claim of B. F. Ferrell proved against the bankrupt’s estate. John H. Ferrell, a creditor of B. F„ Ferrell, attached the fund in appellant’s hands. The appellant answered, alleged and proved that he was surety for B. F. Ferrell and others on a note to Johnson; that long prior to the attachment he, as such surety, paid off the note, and it was assigned to him; and that there was a balance due on it exceeding the amount of the funds in his hands.

Rountree & Lisle, for appellant. J. R. Thomas, for appellee.

On these facts it was error to adjudge the fund to the attaching creditor. He could have no greater right or higher equity than his debtor, B. F. Ferrell, who, according to the allegations of the petition, “has no property in this state subject to execution;” and it is quite clear that he could not recover the fund while he remains indebted to the appellant in a larger sum for money paid as his surety.

The case of Payne v. Pusey, 8 Bush (Ky.) 564, does not apply here. John PI. Ferrell is not a creditor of Cravens, and has no claim to the fund except through B. F. Ferrell, who is the common debtor of both John H. Ferrell and appellant.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded, with directions to discharge the attachments, so far as it affects the appellant.