Nance v. Dabau

430 P.2d 747, 78 N.M. 250
CourtNew Mexico Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 24, 1967
Docket8158
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 430 P.2d 747 (Nance v. Dabau) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Nance v. Dabau, 430 P.2d 747, 78 N.M. 250 (N.M. 1967).

Opinion

OPINION

CHAVEZ, Chief Justice.

Plaintiff-appellant George E. Nance, as guardian of the person and estate of Sudie É. Darby, filed a complaint against defendant-appellee John Darby Dabau in three counts. Only the first count is relevant to this appeal. In that count, appellant sought to set aside certain deeds and contracts executed by Sudie E. Darby and her deceased husband to appellee, on the grounds that appellee occupied a position of trust with her; that appellee, by fraud, misrepresentations and undue influence, induced Sudie E. Darby and her deceased husband to execute the deeds. The trial court denied the relief sought and appellant appeals.

The record shows that appellant Nance secured the power of attorney from Sudie E. Darby on March 11, 1964, while she was in the hospital suffering from a stroke; that the suit was filed in the name of Mrs. Darby on April 24, 1964; and that appellant Nance qualified as guardian of Mrs. Darby, as an incompetent, in May 1965. Most of the testimony pertaining to the execution of the contract between the Darbys and appellee, the deed executed between the Darbys and appellee conveying approximately 1120 acres, and the deed executed between the Darbys and appellee conveying 640 acres, was given by appellee when called as an adverse witness. This testimony established that Edward E. Darby and Sudie E. Darby, husband and wife, moved to the vicinity of Forrest, New Mexico, in 1912, accompanied by the now Mrs. Fannie Nance, mother of appellant, who was then eleven years of age. Mrs. Fannie Nance had been raised by Mr. and Mrs. Darby from the age of nine years and, although never legally adopted by them or of any relation to the Darbys, she was treated as a daughter and she treated the Darbys as her parents. Mrs. Nance lived in the Darby home until she was married on January 21, 1926. Following the marriage, she moved to her own home and her three children, including appellant, were treated by Mr. and Mrs. Darby as their grandchildren.

Prior to July 23, 1958, and the execution of the contract and deeds giving rise to this law suit, Mr. Darby was approximately 80 years of age and had undergone major surgery in connection with a malignancy. On July 23, 1958, he could walk about only if aided by some other person, or he could move about in a wheel chair. Mrs. Darby was 82 years of age at the time of trial, or approximately 75 years of age on July 23, 1958.

In 1958 appellee, a married man, was engaged in profitable employment in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time of Mr. Darby’s illness, appellee flew to New Mexico and stayed with the Darbys for about a week. He then returned to Kansas City and, at that time, began receiving letters and telephone calls from the Darbys, requesting that he return to New Mexico and take over the properties of the Darbys under the terms of an agreement which the Darbys contemplated making. It appears that there was an equally close relationship between the Darbys and the parents of ap-pellee Dabau, and appellee was raised in the Darby’s home like a grandchild.

On July 23, 1958, the Darbys executed a warranty deed to appellee Dabau, conveying approximately 1120 acres of land in Quay County, New Mexico, and reserving a life estate. A second warranty deed was executed with respect to the 640 acres in Sec. 35, Twp. 7 N., R. 31 E., N.M.P.M. Under an agreement which was also executed by the parties, the deed to Sec. 35 was to be held by the Darbys and delivered to appellee upon their death. Appellee Da-bau agreed to farm the land, make the payments on a loan covering the properties, and give the Darbys all of the income from Sec. 35 during their lifetime. The Darbys were to have the use of the dwelling on Sec. 35 and all improvements for life, and they agreed to pay the taxes and insurance.

Mr. Darby died March 2, 1960. Thereafter, an agreement was entered into on May 26, 1961, between Mrs. Darby, the widow, and appellee Dabau with reference to the deed to Sec. 35. Mrs. Darby gave appellee the right to record the deed to Sec. 35, subj ect to the previous understanding as to her unrestricted right to the use of the improvements for life. Appellee agreed to farm all of the land. They agreed that each would furnish one-half of the seed and fuel for Sec. 35; that Mrs. Darby would pay the ad valorem taxes; and that Mrs. Darby would receive one-half of all of the crops grown on the section.

Under point I, appellant contends the facts show that a confidential relationship existed between appellee and the Darbys; that the burden of showing there was no undue influence shifted to appellee; and that his testimony was insufficient to carry this burden. Cited as support therefor are Beals v. Ares, 25 N.M. 459, 185 P. 780; Cardenas v. Ortiz, 29 N.M. 633, 226 P. 418; Brown v. Cobb, 53 N.M. 169, 204 P.2d 264; Pilon v. Lobato, 54 N.M. 218, 219 P.2d 290; Ostertag v. Donovan, 65 N. M. 6, 331 P.2d 355, 70 A.L.R.2d 583; Hummer v. Betenbough, 75 N.M. 274, 404 P.2d 110. This argument appears to be an attack on finding of fact No. 13, which reads:

“13. That John Darby Dabau has proved lack of undue influence on his part in connection with all the instruments executed between him and the Darbys, and the contracts and the deeds were executed and delivered free from undue influence on the part of John Darby Dabau upon either Edward E. Darby or Sudie E. Darby and the said contracts and deeds are valid and binding.”

Appellant’s attack raises no issue on appeal. Findings must be attacked on the basis that there is no substantial evidence to support them. Petty v. Williams, 71 N.M. 338, 378 P.2d 376. If not so attacked, the findings must be accepted as the facts in the case. Noran v. White, 69 N.M. 46, 363 P.2d 1038. This court has held that we will consider only that evidence and inferences to be drawn therefrom which support the findings, and we will not consider any evidence unfavorable to the findings. Luna v. Flores, 64 N.M. 312, 328 P.2d 82.

Even if we were to interpret appellant’s attack as meaning there was no substantial evidence to support finding No. 13, appellant has failed to comply with Supreme Court Rule 15(6), (§ 21-2-1(15) (6), N.M.S.A., 1953 Comp.), the purpose of which is to relieve this court of any duty to examine a trial record to see if support for a finding is present. Alvarez v. Alvarez, 72 N.M. 336, 383 P.2d 581. Appellant has not set forth any evidence on the issue of undue influence, and has failed to challenge the trial court’s findings of fact Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14. These findings support the decision, as well as finding No. 13, and are as follows:

“9. That after John Darby Dabau married, he lived out of the State of New Mexico where he had profitable employment and was satisfied in his location.
“10. Sudie E.

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Bluebook (online)
430 P.2d 747, 78 N.M. 250, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/nance-v-dabau-nm-1967.