Sims v. . Ray

Feb 5, 1887
Versions:96 N.C. 87
2 S.E. 443
*89 Davis, J.,

(after stating the facts). The appellant relies on Taylor v. Eatman, 92 N. C., 607; Norfleet v. Hawkins, 93 N. C., 392; and Walton v. Parrish, 95 N. C., 259. In the first of these cases it was held, that a feme covert was competent to execute a power, whether collateral, appurtenent or in gross, without the concurrence of her husband, and that she might execute it even in his favor; and the same was held in Norfleet v. Hawkins, supra, in which case it was said: “ In' the execution of a power, there is no contract between the donee of a power and the appointee, and when the appointment is made, the appointee at once takes the estate from the donee, as if it had been conveyed directly to him.” These were executions of powers and not contracts or gifts.

The case of Walton v. Parrish, supra, only affirmed the well settled doctrine, that even before the change in the law in respect to the property of husband and wife, under the Constitution of 1868, and subsequent enactments, a deed from husband to wife would be upheld in equity, if it appeared that she was meritorious, and the property conveyed appeared to be no more than a reasonable provision for her. But we take it as settled, that prior to the act of 1871-2, incorporated in The Code, §§1835,1836, the wife could not by deed convey to her husband, the doctrine being, as laid down in Malone on Real Property, 600, that “ unless the wife convey under power to dispose of the same, her disabilities are a bar, and on her death the land descends to her heirs,” and except as authorized by §§1835 and 1836 of The Code, this is still the law. Its purpose is to protect the wife from the influence and control which the husband is presumed to have over her by reason of the marital relation.

The subject is elaborately discussed in Lee v. Pearce, 68 N. C., 96; and in McRae v. Battle, 69 N. C., 98; and the reason for the doctrine fully stated. It proceeds on the idea, not that there is frasud, but that there may be fraud, and gives an artificial effect to the relation beyond its natural *90 tendency to produce belief. This doctrine of the common law has been modified by the statutes referred to, and contracts between husband and wife are valid, if executed in the mode authorized by the statute; but in order to render a deed from the wife to the husband valid, the requirements of the statute must be observed. Section 1835 declares,, that no contract between husband and wife “ shall be valid to effect or change any part of the real estate of the wife * * * unless such contract shall be in writing, and shall be duly proved as is required for conveyance of land; and upon the examination of the wife, separate and apart from the husband, as is now or may hereafter be required by law in the probate of deed of femes covert; and it shall appear to the satisfaction of such officer that the wife freely executed such contract, and freely consented thereto at the time of her separate examination, and that the same is not unreasonable or injurious to her. The certificate of the officer shall state his conclusions, and shall be conclusive of the facts therein stated; provided, that the same may be impeached for fraud as other judgments may.” ■

It will be seen, from á glance at the deed from Mary Ray to the defendant, that the requirements of the statute have not been observed. There is no finding that the execution of the deed is not unreasonable or injurious to the wife, and no conclusion in relation thereto certified by the officer.

Our conclusion is, that the deed from Mary Ray to the defendant is not valid, and upon the death of the said Mary Ray, the land descended to her heirs.

The judgment of the Superior Court must be affirmed. There is no error.

No error. Affirmed.