Helms v. Helms

Decision Date25 March 1926
Docket Number6 Div. 480
Citation214 Ala. 580,108 So. 509
PartiesHELMS v. HELMS.
CourtAlabama Supreme Court

Rehearing Denied May 13, 1926

Appeal from Circuit Court, Blount County; O.A. Steele, Judge.

Bill in equity by W.A. Helms against P.M. Helms, as administrator of the estate of J.A. Helms, deceased, and individually, and others, and cross-bill by P.M. Helms. From the decree respondent P.M. Helms, as such administrator and individually, appeals. Affirmed.

Russell & Johnson, of Oneonta, for appellant.

Ward Nash & Fendley, of Oneonta, for appellee.

THOMAS J.

The bill had for its primary purpose the quieting of title to the lands made the subject thereof, and the selling of lands for division among joint owners.

The answer of the personal representative and other defendant was that the legal and equitable titles to said lands were in J.A. Helms at the time of his death immediately preceding the filing of the bill. The cross-bill of the administrator and of P.M. Helms individually denied complainant's ownership in the lands; averred that by mesne conveyances from complainant to J.A. Helms the latter was the owner of the lands; and prayed relief according to the facts as between the proper and necessary parties before the court, and that the decree declare the lack of title in complainant.

In the course of the proceedings, the administration of the estate of J.A. Helms was duly removed from the probate to the circuit court in equity. Gen.Acts 1915, p. 738; Code 1923, § 6478; Crawford v. Carlisle, 206 Ala. 379, 89 So 565; Hinson v. Naughter, 207 Ala. 592, 93 So. 560; Parker v. Robertson, 205 Ala. 434, 88 So. 418; Dent v. Foy, 206 Ala. 454, 90 So. 317; Henderson v. Henderson, 210 Ala. 73, 97 So. 353; Fowlkes v. Clay, 205 Ala. 523, 88 So. 651; Ex parte McLendon, 212 Ala. 403, 102 So. 696; Dent v. Foy, 204 Ala. 405, 85 So. 709; McKeithen v. Rich, 204 Ala. 588, 86 So. 377.

It is true that, if a homestead of grantor is less than the exemption allowed by law, the motive for the transfer is immaterial, as to third parties who may seek to enforce their rights by levy and sale. Burgin v. Hodge, 207 Ala. 315, 93 So. 27; Fuller v. Whitlock, 99 Ala. 411, 13 So. 80; Pollak v. McNeil, 100 Ala. 203, 13 So. 937. However, a careful consideration of the evidence impresses us with the view given expression in the decree that the deed from Helms to Hale was not delivered; that the legal title did not pass. It could not have the effect of passing the equitable title, since no part of the purchase price was paid. Ashford v. Prewitt, 102 Ala. 264, 14 So. 663, 48 Am.St.Rep. 37.

A certain part of the land is shown to have been the homestead of W.A. Helms for many years, and his...

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4 cases
  • Williams v. Overcast
    • United States
    • Alabama Supreme Court
    • April 26, 1934
    ...937; Kibbe v. Scholes, 219 Ala. 571, 577, 123 So. 61; Boutwell v. Spurlin Mercantile Co., 203 Ala. 482, 83 So. 481; Helms v. Helms, 214 Ala. 580, 108 So. 509. statutes of force at the date of the death of the intestate husband and father fixed the right of the widow and minor child as of th......
  • Kibbe v. Scholes
    • United States
    • Alabama Supreme Court
    • June 13, 1929
    ...these circumstances is not necessary. This decision was followed in Boutwell v. Spurlin Co., 203 Ala. 482, 83 So. 481; Helms v. Helms, 214 Ala. 580, 108 So. 509. White v. Stump, 266 U.S. 310, 45 S.Ct. 103, 69 301, it will be observed, holds that the right of an exemption by the bankrupt mus......
  • Ex parte Bell
    • United States
    • Alabama Supreme Court
    • May 29, 1930
    ... ... Naugher, supra, the bill, alleging the jurisdictional facts, ... was original in form, duly verified. Such was the form ... employed in Helms v. Helms, 214 Ala. 580, 108 So ... 509; Dent v. Foy, 210 Ala. 475, 98 So. 390; ... Henderson v. Henderson, 210 Ala. 73, 97 So. 353; ... Fowlkes ... ...
  • Kerlin-Patterson Lumber Co. v. Eufaula Hardware Co.
    • United States
    • Alabama Supreme Court
    • April 15, 1926

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