Van Fleet v. Van Fleet

14 N.W. 671, 50 Mich. 1, 1883 Mich. LEXIS 695

Opinion

Cooley, J.

This case involves a claim against the estate of Hugh H. Yan Fleet, of which the respondent is administrator. The claimant and respondent are sons of the intestate. The claim is for the value of work and labor performed for the intestate, and mainly on a farm known as the Phoenix farm, after the claimant was of full age. The performance of the labor is not disputed, but it is claimed for the estate that it was done on an understanding that the Phoenix farm was to be taken in payment when the father was done with it. The claimant’s evidence tended to show that the father, when he purchased the Phoenix farm, told the claimant if he would work and help him pay for it, he should have the farm when paid for, and in any event should have pay for his labor; that he did work as requested, but the farm was never paid for and at the father’s death was encumbered for its full value. The respondent gave evidence tending to show that the understanding was the labor was to be paid for in the land and not otherwise. The jury found for the claimant.

Of the many errors assigned, a few only demand attention. The respondent insisted that if the evidence showed an express contract between the parties there could be no recovery for the labor on an implied contract. Galloway v. Holmes 1 Doug. (Mich.) 330; Peters v. Gallagher 37 Mich. 407. The principle is plain enough, but it has no application here. The plaintiff relied upon an express understanding that he should be paid for his services whether he received the land or not; and he also claimed that, if the .evidence failed to show an express agreement to that effect, it showed facts from which such au understanding must be implied. If the jury was with him on the first branch of the case, he would recover on the express contract; if on the second branch of the case, he would recover on the contract implied by the circumstances, no express contract being made out. But the claimant did not pretend that a contract could be implied for services which were covered by an express contract, and the instructions to the jury conceded that if an express contract was made out, the case must be governed by it.

As a part of his case the claimant proved declarations of the intestate tending to show that he expected to pay for the claimant’s services. The defense then offered to show declarations of the intestate of a different character, made near the same time; but the offer was overruled. In support of the offer cases were referred to which have held declarations of a party that he had made his will, or that he had destroyed his will, admissible under some circumstances. But those were cases in which the declarations when made were not adverse to the interests of any one. Those which were offered in this case were declarations in favor of the party making them and adverse to the interest of another. No plausible argument can be made in support of the offer to prove them.

No other question in the case seems to us to require notice. The principal question in the case was one of fact, and it was fairly submitted to the jury.

The judgment must be affirmed with costs.

The other Justices concurred.