Trammel v. National Bank of Georgia, 62590

• Decision Date: 08 October 1981
• Docket Number: No. 62590,62590
• Citation: 159 Ga.App. 850,285 S.E.2d 590
• Parties: TRAMMEL et al. v. NATIONAL BANK OF GEORGIA.
• Court: Georgia Court of Appeals

Page 590

285 S.E.2d 590

159 Ga.App. 850

TRAMMEL et al. v. NATIONAL BANK OF GEORGIA.

No. 62590.

Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Oct. 8, 1981.

John K. Dunlap, Atlanta, for appellants.

W. Christopher Bracken, Atlanta, for appellee.

QUILLIAN, Chief Judge.

Appellants appeal from adverse summary judgments in an action on a promissory note and a counterclaim for conversion of certain accessories attached to the truck securing the note.

On October 10, 1979, plaintiff/appellee National Bank of Georgia filed suit against defendants/appellants Robert D. and Kathy J. Trammel for the deficiency of the balance of a promissory note. The collateral for the note, a 1972 Ford pickup truck, had been previously repossessed and sold at a properly advertised public auction. The appellants had requested that the truck be sold at auction. They had also requested that they be reimbursed for the value of accessories added to the truck by the appellants.

In their answer and counterclaim, appellants raised the defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction, improper service, and partial failure of consideration. They also counterclaimed for the value of accessories added to the truck which were a rear window, six tie downs, bed rails, two rear windows, a locking gas cap, dome lights, racing stripes and mag wheel covers.

After submission of affidavits the plaintiff moved for and was awarded summary judgment on the main action and on the defendant's counterclaim. Defendants appeal. Held:

1. The defendants, by affidavit, stated that service was left at their house with their twelve year old daughter. They contend that their twelve-year-old daughter is not "a person of suitable age and discretion" as required for alternative service in Code Ann. § 81A-104(d)(7) (CPA § 4(d)(7); Ga.L.1966, pp. 609, 610; as amended through 1980, pp. 1124, 1125). In support of this theory defendants cite numerous statutes which limit the ability of twelve year olds to function in society as adults. This court is aware of the instances wherein the law deems a twelve year old lacks requisite capacity to perform certain acts. Twelve year olds in Georgia cannot vote (Code Ann. § 34-602 (Ga.L.1964, Extra. Sess., pp. 26, 45; as amended through 1975, p. 803)) or hold title to real estate (Code Ann. § 29-106 (Ga.L.1966, pp. 192, 291; as amended through 1972, pp. 193, 195)), nor have the requisite mens rea to commit a crime (Code Ann. § 26-701 (CCG § 26-701; Ga.L.1968, pp. 1249, 1270)), are immune from suit for tort (Hatch v. O'Neill, 231 Ga. 446, 202 S.E.2d 44), and cannot make a valid will (Code Ann. § 113-203 (Code § 113-203)). See also Code Ann. § 79-208 (Code § 79-208). The above restrictions, however, are not applicable to the case sub judice.

Our Civil Practice Act of 1966 is based on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Federal Rule was based upon Equity Rule 13 where delivery of the summons was to be made upon "some adult person." 2 Moore's Federal Practice 4-125 Chapter 4.11. However, the Federal Rule was amended to permit service upon "some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein"--the same wording adopted by our CPA 4(d)(7), supra. Under the facts of this case summary judgment for the plaintiff on its complaint was proper unless, as a matter of law, the trial court lacked jurisdiction of the defendant. Thus, the first issue to be decided is whether the defendant's 12 year old daughter was a person of suitable age and discretion.

Defendants argue that "the fact that the Trammels actually received the service copies intended for them and thereby gained actual knowledge of the pendency of this suit is irrelevant." We do not agree. "In cases where actual notice of suit has been received by defendant, Rule 4(d)(1) [Code Ann. § 81A-104(d)(7)] should be liberally construed to effectuate service." Blackhawk Heating & Plumbing Co., Inc. v. Turner, 50 F.R.D. 144 (Ariz.1970); Accord: Rovinski v. Rowe, 131 F.2d 687, 689 (6th Cir. 1942); Karlsson v. Rabinowitz, 318 F.2d 666 (4th Cir. 1963); Nowell v. Nowell, 384 F.2d 951 (5th Cir. 1967); Grammenos v. Lemos, 457 F.2d 1067 (2d Cir. 1972); 2 Moore's Federal Practice 4-115, Chapter 4.11. We are aware of those decisions by our court that " '[w]here there has been no service of a suit, or waiver thereof, the necessity of service is not dispensed with by the mere fact that the defendant may in some way learn of the filing of the suit.' " American Photocopy &c. v. Lew Deadmore &c., 127 Ga.App. 207, 209, 193 S.E.2d 275. Also, we are in complete agreement that "no case can proceed without service upon the defendant in one of the modes prescribed by law, unless service is waived" (Carroll v. Muller, 31 Ga.App. 209(1), 120 S.E. 548 and "the necessity of service is not dispensed with by the mere fact that the defendant may in some way learn of or have actual knowledge of the filing of the action." Radcliffe v. Boyd Motor Lines, 129 Ga.App. 725, 731, 201 S.E.2d 4. However, in the instant case the return of service shows, and the contention of plaintiff is, that service was properly made at the home of the defendant, upon a person of suitable age and discretion, and is in a mode prescribed by law. The fact that the defendants received the service from the person served is some indication that that person was of suitable age and discretion and that service was effectuated in such a manner to reasonably accomplish it. See Mullane v. Central Hanover Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 315, 70 S.Ct. 652, 657-58, 94 L.Ed. 865. Receipt of the service also tends to show the server " 'acted reasonably and diligently in attempting to fulfill the statutory mandate...' " Cf. Lavender-Cabellero v. Dept. of Consumer Affairs, City of New York, 458 F.Supp. 213, 216 (D.C.N.Y.1978).

The Deputy Sheriff was not authorized to leave copy of service and summons on one who was not of suitable age and discretion ... and in absence of contradictory evidence, was presumed to have performed his duties faithfully and lawfully so as to warrant the court in accepting certificate of service signed by deputy sheriff as proof of personal service upon defendant. Woods v. Congress Financial Corp., 149 Ga.App. 156, 157, 253 S.E.2d 834; Bank of Clearwater, Fla. v. Kimbrel, 240 Ga. 570, 572, 242 S.E.2d 16; Pope v. U. S. Fidelity &c Co., 200 Ga. 69, 74, 35 S.E.2d 899. The only evidence that the appellant submits in support of his contention that the daughter of appellants was not of suitable age and discretion is that she is twelve years old. We refuse to hold as a matter of law that a twelve year old is not "a person of suitable age and discretion." This is a factual matter and the presumption of valid service stands unless rebutted by the party which moves to set aside the service. Adams v. C & S Nat. Bank, 132 Ga.App. 622, 623(2), 208 S.E.2d 628; Woods v. Congress Financial Corp., 149 Ga.App. 156, 157, 253 S.E.2d 834, supra. Other cases approving service at the dwelling or usual place of abode of the defendant upon minors: DeGeorge v. Mandata Poultry Co., 196 F.Supp. 192 (Pa.1961) (16-yr.-old daughter); Lynch v. Williams, 162 A.2d 770 (D.C.1960) (15-yr.-old son); Day v. United Securities Corp., 272 A.2d 448 (D.C.1970) (15-yr.-old boy); Temple v. Norris, 53 Minn. 286 (55 N.W. 133) (14-yr.-old); Van Buren v. Glasco, 27 N.C.App. 1, 217 S.E.2d 579 (15-yr.-old son); Holmen v. Miller, 296 Minn. 99, 206 N.W.2d 916 (13 yr. old daughter); see also 4 F.R.Serv.2d 32 (16-yr.-old). We find evidence of service of process on a 12-year-old individual residing in the defendant's residence, without more, does not reflect insufficient service of process.

2. Next, appellants contend that the fact that service was made on Sunday renders the service void since Sunday is dies non jurisdicus. Evans v. Evans, 229 Ga. 418, 419, 192 S.E.2d 158; Sawyer v. Cargile, 72 Ga. 290, 291. The Supreme Court has held that service on Sunday is proper if it is a necessity. Evans v. Evans, 229 Ga. at 420, 192 S.E.2d 158 supra. In 1974 the General...