28 La. Ann. 594 | La. | 1876
Lead Opinion
This is an injunction suit in which the plaintiff asserts a right to a homestead under the act of the twenty-second of December, 1865. She claims lots one, two, three, four, and five as shown by a plan on file and the dwelling-house and outbuildings, etc.
Her pretensions are opposed on the grounds following: That she is not the head of a family; and that she owns other property worth more than two thousand dollars.
The evidence shows that she is a married woman; that she owns other jtroperty in the parish besides that claimed under the homestead act, wor h more than two thousand dollars, but that it is mortgaged for large debts; and that the property claimed under the said exemption law exceeds in value two thousand dollars — the dwelling-house alone being proved to be worth at least four thousand dollars; and it is further proved that she has a granddaughter living with her whom she has undertaken to rear and ed;j®5#&, the mother consenting.
The letter of the law is unambiguous, and we are not permitted to disregard it, under the pretext of divining the intention of the Legislature. Besides, it is a law in derogation of common right, and must be construed strictly. The law does not confer this privilege of a homestead upon a married woman. During the marriage the husband is the head of the family, upon whom devolves the support of the family, and whether, in ' exceptional cases, the wife may have to contribute to the support of the family, or not can not, affect the interpretation of this statute.
It is therefore ordered that the judgment of the lower court be affirmed with costs of appeal.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring in the decree. I concur in the conclusion in this case on grounds different from that given by the majority of the court, which I reserve the right to put on file.