Zimmerman v. Westgate Elevator Co.

160 N.W.2d 502, 1968 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 906
CourtSupreme Court of Iowa
DecidedJuly 18, 1968
DocketNo. 53086
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 160 N.W.2d 502 (Zimmerman v. Westgate Elevator Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Zimmerman v. Westgate Elevator Co., 160 N.W.2d 502, 1968 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 906 (iowa 1968).

Opinion

SNELL, Justice.

This is an action in probate for the right to file and to establish a claim against decedent’s estate. It was filed more than six months after the second publication of notice to creditors.

Clair W. Zimmerman died testate on February 24, 1966. Dolores L. Zimmerman, his surviving widow and sole beneficiary under his will was appointed and qualified as executor. Pursuant to section 633.3(16) and section 633.4, Code of 1966, we use the term “Executor.”

Decedent had not prospered in his chicken business and had unpaid accounts but was not insolvent. There is no evi[503]*503dence that decedent faced any undue pressure from his creditors but he was despondent and committed suicide. He left a note saying he could not face it.

Westgate Elevator Co., Inc., claimant herein, conducts a general elevator and feed business in Westgate, Iowa. Willis C. Ruff is manager and sole owner.

At the time of his death decedent was indebted to claimant for feed, grain and grinding. The balance due, according to claimant’s records, was $7,218.25. Additional items were furnished following decedent’s death for use on the farm operated by decedent. They were ordered by Mrs. Zimmerman or her brother. These charges were:

2-26-66 — Feed, grind and mix $ 57.04
3-5-66 — Feed, grind and mix 56.53
• Total $113.57

These items brought the total balance due as claimed by claimant to $7,331.82.

Before the six months allowed by Code Section 633.410 for filing claims had expired, the following payments on this account were made by the executor:

April 5,1966, Credit for Corn $1,056.10
April 23, 1966, Cash 1,000.00
June 25, 1966, Cash 1,000.00
July 25, 1966, Cash 175.72
August 24, 1966, Cash 200.00

After the expiration of the six months allowed for filing claims had expired the following additional payments were made by the executor:

September 27, 1966, Cash $100.00
October 28,1966, Cash 100.00
November 29, 1966 25.00

These payments added together made a total of $3,656.82, and leave a balance of $3,675.00 asked by claimant in his claim filed January 3, 1967. Included in said amount, however, are certain disputed monthly “interest” charges commencing on April 3, 1964.

Only two witnesses testified, Mr. Ruff for claimant and the executor for herself and the estate.

The trial court made a detailed finding of fact from which we quote:

“On or about June 28, 1966, Willis C. Ruff, president of claimant corporation called at the Zimmerman farm and talked to the executor about payment of the balance of the account. There is some disagreement as to just what was said between them at that time. They agree that there was mention of a suicide note left by the decedent and containing indications that the size of the account and the obligation to pay it contributed to causing the decedent to commit suicide. The executor complained because, as she claims, she was never informed by claimant as to the size or existence of the account.
“No specific plan for payment of the balance then due was worked out, but the court finds from the evidence that Mr. Ruff was informed by the executor that he would get his money. The executor states that she said to him: ‘My doctor said that if it took four years to build up the account, take four years to pay it. It will take time.’
“It would seem to be reasonable for a person in Mr. Ruff’s position to interpret this as a promise to pay the account. The court finds that the claimant was not guilty of a lack of diligence by reason of its failure to file a claim within the time allowed by law, in view of the promise to pay in time, and in view of the fact of actual payment of almost one-half of the total amount of the claim before the time for filing claims had expired. The court further finds that ‘peculiar circumstances’ existed within the meaning of Code Section 633.40 [633.410] entitling the claimant to ‘equitable relief’ from the requirements of said section.

[504]*504“The court now finds further that claimant has sustained the burden of proving its account by good and sufficient competent evidence except as to the one per cent per month interest charges made each month commencing April 3rd, 1964. These charges total $903.53. No express written or oral agreement for the payment of such interest was shown by a preponderance of the evidence, and such an agreement, had there been one, would violate Code Section 535.4 and 535.5, and would result in the forfeiture of all interest.”

We have reviewed the record. There is some but not a great variation between Mrs. Zimmerman’s and Mr. Ruff’s version of their conversations. There is ample support for the court’s findings.

I. Section 635.68, Code of 1962, provided :

“All claims not filed as hereinbefore provided, within six months from the giving of the notice aforesaid, will be barred, * * * unless peculiar circumstances entitle the claimant to equitable relief.”

This section is now superseded by section 633.410, Code of 1966. This section provides:

“All claims against a decedent’s estate, * * * shall be forever barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the distributees of the estate, unless filed with the clerk within six months after the date of the second publication of the notice to creditors; provided, however, that the personal representative may waive such limitation on filing; and this provision shall not bar claimants entitled to equitable relief due to peculiar circumstances.” (Emphasis added)

Section 633.33, Code of 1966, provides:

“Nature of proceedings in probate. Actions to set aside or contest wills, for the involuntary appointment of guardians and conservators, and for the establishment of contested claims shall be triable in probate as law actions, and all other matters triable in probate shall be tried by the probate court as a proceeding in equity.” (Emphasis added)

Section 633.410, Code of 1966, makes no such change from the Code of 1962 as to be material here. We find nothing to indicate that either the committee that drafted the probate code or the legislature that enacted it intended any change in procedure in cases such as the one now before us.

We have held repeatedly that a determination that equitable relief should be granted in the filing of late claims is not reviewable de novo. In Re Estate of Smith, 248 Iowa 857, 863, 82 N.W.2d 737; Rindfleisch v. Mundt Estate, 247 Iowa 1124, 1128, 77 N.W.2d 643; Jackson Wholesale Florists v. Schappaugh Floral, 246 Iowa 1189, 1194, 70 N.W.2d 154; St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Co. v. Nyce, 241 Iowa 550, 570,

Related

In Re Estate of Zimmerman
160 N.W.2d 502 (Supreme Court of Iowa, 1968)

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Bluebook (online)
160 N.W.2d 502, 1968 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 906, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/zimmerman-v-westgate-elevator-co-iowa-1968.