297 N.W. 511 | Mich. | 1941
The last will and testament of Joseph Hoag devised and bequeathed the residue of his estate to Grace Hoag, his daughter, now deceased. Jerome Hoag, appellant herein, is a brother *330 of decedent and received only $50 under the provisions of the will of Joseph Hoag.
The record shows that appellant was dissatisfied with the amount bequeathed to him by his father and it is claimed that Grace Hoag, prior to her death, agreed to pay him the sum of $5,000 on condition that he refrain from contesting his father's will. After the death of Grace, appellant presented his claim in the probate proceedings involving her estate, where it was disallowed. An appeal was taken to the circuit court. At the close of appellant's proofs, the trial court directed a verdict for defendant, and it is from the judgment entered in accordance therewith that this appeal is taken.
Appellant's wife testified as to an occasion on which Grace Hoag came to appellant's home, at which time, in the course of an argument, it is claimed appellant told his sister that he intended to contest his father's will. The two discussed the property involved, including some funds that were on deposit in closed banks, and it is claimed that Grace then agreed to pay appellant $5,000 when she got all the money out of said banks, if he would refrain from contesting the will.
The foregoing is, in brief, the basis of appellant's claim. The obligation of deceased, if one existed, was to pay appellant the sum of $5,000 when she, deceased, received the money from the closed banks. Aside from the fact that the inventory in the estate of Joseph Hoag showed assets of only $3,736.73, after deduction of expenses of administration, it is clear that appellant was not to be paid under the alleged contract until his sister had received the same from the closed banks. The proofs offered contained no evidence showing that this event had occurred. There was nothing to be submitted to the jury for their consideration. Plaintiff did not make *331 a prima facie case and the trial court was not in error in directing a verdict for defendant on this ground.
After discovery of the defect in proofs, appellant moved to reopen the case to introduce additional evidence. Whether or not the motion should have been granted was discretionary with the trial judge and it does not appear that he abused his discretion in denying the same.
The judgment is affirmed, with costs to appellee.
SHARPE, C.J., and BUSHNELL, BOYLES, NORTH, McALLISTER, WIEST, and BUTZEL, JJ., concurred.
