Shuey v. Willard

606 S.W.2d 792, 1980 Mo. App. LEXIS 2735
CourtMissouri Court of Appeals
DecidedOctober 15, 1980
DocketNo. 11481
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 606 S.W.2d 792 (Shuey v. Willard) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Shuey v. Willard, 606 S.W.2d 792, 1980 Mo. App. LEXIS 2735 (Mo. Ct. App. 1980).

Opinion

PREWITT, Judge.

Respondent is the residuary legatee of Pearl I. Horton’s will. Mrs. Horton, respondent’s grandmother, died January 1, 1978. On March 20, 1978, respondent filed a petition to remove appellant as executor of the estate pursuant to § 473.140, RSMo 1969. In that petition respondent alleged that appellant is a nonresident of Missouri and also was “unsuitable to serve as Executor ... as he has an interest adverse to that of the Estate.” The same day respondent filed a “PETITION TO DETERMINE TITLE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY”, apparently under § 473.340, RSMo Supp.1975, contending that decedent owned a mobile home which appellant had not included in the estate. Both pleadings were filed in the Probate Court of Oregon County, Missouri, where the decedent’s estate was pending.

On April 1, 1978, by verified application pursuant to § 473.340.2, RSMo Supp.1975, respondent asked the probate court to certify to the circuit court the petition to determine title to the mobile home because of the probability that any judgment rendered by the probate court would be appealed to the circuit court. On April 10, 1978, the probate court certified that petition to the circuit court. After asking for and receiving leave of the circuit court to amend, respondent filed in the circuit court, on November 22, 1978, a “FIRST AMENDED PETITION”, in two counts. Count I asked the court to determine the ownership of the mobile home as between the estate and appellant, individually, and Count II asked that appellant be removed as executor. On December 20, 1978, respondent filed a disqualification of the probate judge of Oregon County “as to her Petition to Remove Executor”. On December 28, 1978, the probate judge disqualified and certified that petition to the circuit court. On May 14, 1979, appellant filed his “ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF’S FIRST AMENDED PETITION” admitting that respondent was the granddaughter of the deceased and the residuary legatee under her last will and that he was appointed as executor. He denied the remaining allegations.

After non-jury trial, a judgment was entered in favor of respondent on both counts, the judgment declaring that the mobile home was the property of the decedent and should be included as a part of her estate. It also awarded the estate $500 from appellant individually as damages for the wrongful detention of the mobile home and removed appellant as executor.

Appellant’s first point contends that the circuit court erred in entering the judgment because the probate court had exclusive jurisdiction over the subject matter “of both counts of the lawsuit”. The record of the case does not reveal that this question was raised or any objection was made to the jurisdiction of the circuit court before this appeal. However, because lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter can be asserted [794]*794at any time, we consider this point. See Callahan v. Huhlman, 339 Mo. 634, 98 S.W.2d 704, 706 (1936); Plant v. Haynes, 568 S.W.2d 585, 587 (Mo.App.1978).

While the probate court might have had exclusive original jurisdiction over the actions, the circuit court thereafter acquired jurisdiction. The circuit court acquired jurisdiction to determine the ownership of the mobile home by the probate court’s certification under § 473.340.2, RSMo Supp.1975. It acquired jurisdiction over the proceedings to remove appellant as executor by respondent’s disqualification of the probate judge and that judge’s certification pursuant to § 472.060, RSMo 1969. Respondent was entitled to disqualify the probate judge on the petition to remove the executor and have that matter certified to the circuit court, which thereafter would have jurisdiction. Phillips v. Blessing, 127 S.W.2d 62, 63 (Mo.App.1939); See also 3 Maus, Missouri Practice, § 488. No specific deficiency in the proceedings by respondent and the probate court to have these matters certified to the circuit court is advanced by appellant and those proceedings appear adequate to us.

The circuit court did not acquire jurisdiction of the action to remove appellant until over two months after respondent’s amended petition, but appellant answered and proceeded to trial after the matters contained in both counts were properly pending in the circuit court. The trial judge announced before the trial commenced that both matters were going to be heard. Whether they were heard on respondent’s original pleadings or the amended petition is not clear. The parties each presented evidence regarding both questions. While jurisdiction of the subject matter is not waived, procedural errors may be if not preserved. Callahan v. Huhlman, supra, 98 S.W.2d at 707. We should not consider non jurisdictional matters that might have been cured if raised in the trial court. See Hart v. Skeets, 346 Mo. 1118, 145 S.W.2d 143, 145 (1940). The circuit court acquired jurisdiction over both matters and we do not see how it was divested of that jurisdiction by the premature pleading there of the action to remove appellant as executor. It had jurisdiction over these actions at the time of the trial and judgment. Point one is denied.

Appellant’s second point claims that the judgment was against the weight of the evidence and the trial court erroneously declared and applied the law for several reasons. He contends under this point that the trial court erred in determining that the estate was the owner of the mobile home and that he had no interest in it. His claim to the mobile home is based upon a “LEASE AGREEMENT” entered into by appellant and his wife as “Lessors” and the decedent and her husband as “Lessees”. Decedent’s husband predeceased her. The agreement provided that for one dollar per year the lessees could lease certain land in Oregon County, Missouri, owned by lessors and that “any permanent buildings, fixtures and improvements made or erected by them on the premises herein leased shall become a part of the real estate and be the absolute' property of the Lessors upon the termination of the lease.” Appellant contends that the mobile home became a permanent building, fixture or improvement and thus belonged to him and his wife. The Missouri certificate of title for the mobile home was in the name of the decedent. If this mobile home became a part of the real estate it did so by becoming a fixture. A fixture is an article of personal property which becomes annexed to the real estate and is regarded as a part of the land. Marsh v. Spradling, 537 S.W.2d 402, 404 (Mo.1976). The principal elements to consider in determining if a chattel has become a fixture are: “(1) the annexation; (2) the ‘adaption’ of the article to the location; and (3) the intent of the annexor at the time of the annexation.” Id. Of these elements, intention is of paramount importance. Lea-wood National Bank of Kansas City v. City National Bank & Trust Company of Kansas City, 474 S.W.2d 641, 644 (Mo.App.1971).

The mobile home was put on the property and used as a residence by Mrs. Horton and her husband. The evidence showed that it [795]*795was not attached to any permanent foundation. The wheels were removed but the axles were not and the mobile home was placed on concrete blocks.

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Bluebook (online)
606 S.W.2d 792, 1980 Mo. App. LEXIS 2735, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/shuey-v-willard-moctapp-1980.