4 Div. 490. | Ala. | Apr 8, 1948
The bill was filed in September 1946 by some of the heirs at law of E. Lindsey, Jr., deceased, against other such heirs, seeking a sale of a twelve acre tract of land in Covington County for division among the joint owners. Upon proof had orally before the chancellor, a decree was rendered dismissing the bill, from which decree this appeal is prosecuted.
Among the defendants was Inez Atkison who owned one twenty-fifth interest in the land. This property was by the tax collector sold on August 31, 1939, for nonpayment of state and county taxes, and at the sale the State of Alabama became the purchaser. Subsequent thereto (March 20, 1940), the State Land Commissioner transferred the certificate of purchase to J. E. Atkison, Sr., who was a bona fide purchaser, and who, prior to such purchase, had no interest in *483 the property. Thereafter (October 29, 1941), said Atkison transferred all of his right, title and interest to the land and the certificate to Inez Atkison, to whom the Judge of Probate of Covington County executed a deed bearing date of July 8, 1946.
It appears undisputedly that Inez Atkison at once, upon her purchase from J. E. Atkison, Sr., on October 29, 1941, went into possession of this twelve acre tract, moving into the four room house, making valuable improvements upon the property, expending some few hundred dollars thereon, and that at least two of the heirs were employed by her in making some of these improvements.
It further appears undisputedly that she continued to remain in possession of said land, openly claiming the same adversely as her own, and that the heirs of E. Lindsey, Jr., deceased, had knowledge of such adverse claim, which has continuously prevailed.
The chancellor found from the evidence that said Inez Atkison had been in the active, open and exclusive possession and control of the property for more than three years from the date when she was entitled to demand a deed therefor, as provided by section 295, Title 51, Code of 1940, and that any claim the other parties to this cause may have had to the property was barred by the three year statute of limitations. And, as we have previously observed, the adverse character of the claim of Inez Atkison was brought to the knowledge of the other heirs. We are of the opinion the chancellor reached the correct conclusion.
We may concede, for the purpose here in hand, the invalidity of the tax sale, as contended by counsel for appellants, as it was had against the estate of E. Lindsey, Jr., deceased. Webb v. Griffin,
But, as found stated in Cotton v. Cotton, supra [
The argument of counsel is to the effect there should be here shown an adverse possession of ten years. Here, Inez Atkison did not pay any taxes, nor redeem from a tax sale. Bobo et al. v. Edwards Realty Co., Ala.Sup.,
In the comparatively recent case of Morris v. Mouchette,
Under the proof, the chancellor correctly ruled in favor of Inez Atkison.
This defendant in answer and cross bill disclosed valuable improvements and considerable expenditures, for which she sought reimbursement in the event her right to title should fail.
Complainants, a few days thereafter, amended their bill by adding a paragraph the effect of which was to offer to pay their proportionate part for reimbursement, should the court so decree. No further notice appears to have been given this amendment. It in fact merely presented what was already before the court. The trial proceeded by all parties as if the cause were at regular issue. Of course a brief answer thereto would have sufficed, but would have added nothing to the pleadings that was not already before the court. *484
In Sloss-Sheffield Steel Iron Co. v. Yancey,
The pleadings of all parties fully state the issues involved. To reverse and remand the cause for this particular defect would be to wholly ignore Supreme Court Rule 45, Code 1940, Tit. 7 Appendix, which contemplates substantial injury to justify a reversal.
We are of the opinion the chancellor correctly ruled in applying the three year statute of limitations in favor of defendant Inez Atkison, and the decree is due to be affirmed. It is so ordered.
Affirmed.
BROWN, LIVINGSTON and SIMPSON, JJ., concur.