{ "id": 8561076, "name": "MYRTLE BURTON v. A. L. DIXON, Executor of the Will of C. P. WILSON, Original Defendant, and K. D. BURTON, Additional Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Burton v. Dixon", "decision_date": "1963-05-22", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "473", "last_page": "480", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "259 N.C. 473" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "209 N.Y.S. 416", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "year": 1925, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "184 S.E. 286", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1936, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "144 F. 2d 968", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 3679159 ], "year": 1944, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/144/0968-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 P. 2d 328", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1946, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "199 S.E. 161", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1956, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "214 N.C. 217", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629655 ], "year": 1956, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/214/0217-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 S.E. 657", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "151 N.C. 606", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655704 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/151/0606-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 N.C. L. Rev. 22", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "N.C. L. Rev.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "116 S.E. 2d 339", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "253 N.C. 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8623343 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/253/0188-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 N.C. 228", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629620 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0228-01" ] }, { "cite": "221 N.C. 189", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626958 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/221/0189-01" ] }, { "cite": "39 S.E. 2d 382", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "226 N.C. 518", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8621822 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/226/0518-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 S.E. 14", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 N.C. 241", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655756 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/181/0241-01" ] }, { "cite": "141 N.C. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11251954 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/141/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "47 S.E. 2d 614", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "229 N.C. 52", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 12164609 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/229/0052-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 N.C. 22", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272548 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/93/0022-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 S.E. 2d 843", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "236 N.C. 299", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625169, 8625083 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "305" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/236/0299-02", "/nc/236/0299-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 S.E. 2d 191", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1952, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "119 N.W. 179", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "year": 1909, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "98 S.E. 2d 339", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 N.C. 266", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625879 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/246/0266-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 S.E. 2d 783", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "284 N.C. 195", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "111 S.E. 2d 614", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "251 N.C. 406", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625850 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "410" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/251/0406-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 792, "char_count": 17263, "ocr_confidence": 0.531, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.692348254180893e-07, "percentile": 0.8277028892418052 }, "sha256": "9454980231cedace630e64950f681208d63ab82f96b85485ce3552a09ce0e1b7", "simhash": "1:3de2bf57ca94b4e8", "word_count": 2962 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:55:17.750134+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "MYRTLE BURTON v. A. L. DIXON, Executor of the Will of C. P. WILSON, Original Defendant, and K. D. BURTON, Additional Defendant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Moore, J.\nThere are two questions for decision: (1) Does the counterclaim state a cause of action? (2) If so, is there a misjoinder of parties and causes?\nAccepting the factual allegations of the counterclaim as true and construing them liberally, as we must in passing upon the demurrer (Rubber Co. v. Distributors, Inc., 251 N.C. 406, 410, 111 S.E. 2d 614), we are of the opinion that the facts alleged are sufficient to constitute a cause of action for damages arising from a conspiracy to take possession of C. P. Wilson's property and convert it to the use of plaintiff and her husband.\nA conspiracy is generally defined as an agreement between two or more individuals to do an unlawful act or to do a lawful act in an unlawful manner. Muse v. Morrison, 284 N.C. 195, 66 S.E. 2d 783. A civil action for conspiracy is an action for damages resulting from acts committed by one or more of the conspirators pursuant to the formed conspiracy, rather than the conspiracy itself. The combination or conspiracy may be of little consequence except as bearing upon rules of evidence or the persons liable. If a conspiracy is formed and an overt act, causing damage, is committed by any one or more of the conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy, all of the conspirators are liable. All may be joined as parties defendant in an action for damages caused by the wrongful act, but it is not necessary that all be joined; an action may be maintained against only one. The liability of the conspirators is joint and several. Burns v. Gulf Oil Corporation, 246 N.C. 266, 98 S.E. 2d 339; Muse v. Morrison, supra.\nThe counterclaim does not refer to plaintiff and her husband as conspirators; it designates them as \u201cco-partners\u201d and \u201cjoint ven-turers.\u201d However, it is not the titular designation that controls; the nature of the 'cause of action is determined by the facts alleged. It is alleged that plaintiff and her husband, acting together, invited C. P. Wilson to live with them for the purpose of gaining control of his assets and converting them to their own use, they persuaded C. P. Wilson to execute to the husband a general power of attorney and by means thereof sold timber and collected rents belonging to C. P. Wilson, and they converted the proceeds of the timber and rents to their own use. This is a sufficient statement of a cause of action for conspiracy, and according to the facts pleaded 'both conspirators committed acts pursuant to the conspiracy.\n\u201cGenerally speaking, any person who is capable in law of being sued and who takes part in a conspiracy may be held civilly liable as a conspirator. . . . (A) t common law an action for conspiracy cannot be maintained against a husband and wife alone, since they are considered to be one person. . . . Since the gist of the modern action, however, is damages, and not the conspiracy, an action for conspiracy may now be maintained against a husband and wife alone.\u201d 11 Am. Jur., Conspiracy, s. 47, pp. 579-580; Jones v. Monson, 119 N.W. 179 (Wis. 1909). It is the law in Virginia that a married woman may \u201csue and be sued in the same manner and with the same consequences as if she were unmarried.\u201d Code Va., s. 55-36; Furey v. Furey, 71 S.E. 2d 191 (1952). The same is true in North Carolina. G.S. 52-10; G.S. 52-15.\nThis brings us to the question whether the defendant executor may assert his action for conspiracy as a counterclaim in plaintiff\u2019s action. It may be maintained as a counterclaim if it is a cause of action in favor of defendant and against plaintiff and in such action a several judgment may -be had between them, and if the cause of action (counterclaim) arose out of the contract or transaction set forth in the complaint as the foundation for plaintiff\u2019s claim or is connected with the subject of the action. G.S. 1-137.\n\u201cA several judgment may be had on a counterclaim within the purview of the statute wdien judgment may be rendered for the plaintiff, or all of the plaintiffs, if more than one, or for the defendants, if more than one, accordingly as the -court may decide in favor of the one side or the other.\u201d Garrett v. Rose, 236 N.C. 299, 305, 72 S.E. 2d 843; Lum ber Co. v. Wallace, 93 N.C. 22. It is apparent that the counterclaim in the instant action meets this test. On the record the husband, K. D. Burton, is not presently a party. But, as stated above, conspirators are jointly and severally liable. The test is met either with or without the husband as a party.\nAs to whether the cause of action stated in the counterclaim arose out of the transaction set forth in the complaint or is connected with the subject of the action, the following discussion in Hancommon v. Carr, 229 N.C. 52, 47 S.E. 2d 614, sets out the guiding principles:\n\u201cAs the purpose of the two sections [G.S. 1-123 (1) , G.S. 1-137 (1) ] is to authorize the litigation of all questions arising out of any one transaction, or series of transactions concerning the same subject matter, in one and the same action, and not to permit multifariousness, it must appear that there is but one subject of controversy. (Citing authorities)\n\"While the statute is designed 'to enable parties litigant to settle well-nigh any and every phase of a given controversy in one and tlhe same action,\u2019 Smith v. French, supra (141 N.C. 1); Sewing Machine Co. v. Burger, 181 N.C. 241, 107 S.E. 14, that a connected story may be told is not alone sufficient. Pressley v. Tea Co., supra (226 N.C. 518, 39 S.E. 2d 382). Nor is mere historical sequence\u2014 one thing led to another\u2019 order of occurrences \u2014 all that is required. Finance Corp v. Lane, 221 N.C. 189, 19 S.E. (2d), 849.\n\u201cThe cross action must have such relation to the plaintiffs\u2019 claim that the adjustment of both is necessary to a full and final determination of the controversy. Schnepp v. Richardson, 222 N.C. 228, 22 S.E. (2d), 555. This maamis that it must be so interwoven in plaintiffs\u2019 cause of action .that a full and complete story as to the one cannot be told without relating the essential facts as to the other.\n\u201c \u2018The \u201csubject of the action\u201d means, in this connection, the thing in respect to which the plaintiff\u2019s right of action is asserted, . . . .\u2019 To be connected with the subject of action the \u2018connection of the case asserted in the counterclaim and the subject of the action must be immediate and direct, and presumably contemplated by the parties.\u2019 Phillips, Code Pleading, 2d ed., sec. 377, p. 423.\n\u201c \u2018In respect to the phrase \u201cconnected with\u201d the subject of the action, one rule may be regarded as settled by the decisions, and it is recommended by its good sense, and its convenience in practice. The 'connection must be immediate and direct. . . . the connection must be such that the parties could be supposed to have foreseen and contemplated it in their mutual acts; in other words, that the parties must be assumed to have had this connection and its consequences in view when they dealt with each other.\u2019 Pomeroy, Code Remedies, 5th ed., sec. 652, p. 1059, sec. 670, p. 1085; Schnepp v. Richardson, supra.\u201d\nIf it arises out of the same transaction or is connected with the subject of the action, a tort claim may be pleaded as a counterclaim against a contract claim. King v. Libbey, 253 N.C. 188, 116 S.E. 2d 339; Hancammon v. Carr, supra.\n\u201cIn litigation involving the assets of an estate even though complicated as to parties and involving multiple demands for relief, objection for misjoinder of causes and parties has an excellent chance of being overruled.\u201d 25 N.C. L. Rev. 22.\nIt seems clear to us that defendant\u2019s counterclaim is connected with the subject of plaintiff\u2019s action. The specific subject of the action is the contract between plaintiff and her father, and the court\u2019s inquiry is whether there was a breach of the contract, and, if so, in what amount the father\u2019s estate is indebted to plaintiff by reason thereof. The promised care of the father and attention to his needs may well have included the transaction of some business in his behalf, such as the sale of timber and collection of rents. But, if not, it was certainly. within the contemplation of the parties to the contract that the father would, in the performance on his part, take into consideration the conversion of his assets by plaintiff. Indeed, this may explain the alleged failure of the father to make the promised provision for his daughter in his will. The adjustment of plaintiff\u2019s claim and defendant\u2019s counterclaim is necessary to a full and final determination of the controversy.\nAs stated above, K. D. Burton is not presently a party to the action. He is a resident of Virginia. \u201cAs a general rule .a person over whom the court has no jurisdiction cannot be ordered to be brought in as a proper or necessary party to the action. . . .\u201d 67 C.J.S., Parties, s. 74 (k), pp. 1042-3. Jurisdiction of a party in an action in personam, as is the instant action, can only be acquired by personal service of process within the territorial jurisdiction of the court, or by acceptance of service, or by general appearance, active or constructive. Warlick v. Reynolds, 151 N.C. 606, 66 S.E. 657. In an action in personam constructive service (by publication, or personal service outside the State) upon a nonresident is ineffectual for any purpose. Stevens v. Cecil, 214 N.C. 217, 199 S.E. 161; McIntosh: North Carolina Practice and Procedure (2d ed. 1956), s. 911, p. 479.\nIf jurisdiction of K. D. Burton is lawfully acquired, he is a proper, and perhaps a necessary, party. Casaretto v. DeLucchi, 174 P. 2d 328 (Cal. 1946), is in point. This case involved an action to recover the balance due on meat sold by plaintiff to defendants. Defendants set up a counterclaim alleging they had been overcharged and that plaintiff and one Schroeter had conspired to overcharge them. Shroeter was made a party. Demurrer to the counterclaim was overruled. The jury found for defendants. The appellate court affirmed, holding that there was not a misjoinder of parties and causes, that Schroeter was properly made a party, and that his presence was necessary to a complete determination of the controversy. See also: Lesnik v. Public Industrials Corp., 144 F. 2d 968 (2nd. Cir. 1944); Lumber Co. v. Silas, 184 S.E. 286 (Ga. 1936); George W. Woods, Inc. v. Althauser, 209 N.Y.S. 416 (1925).\nThe judgment below is\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Moore, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Everett, Everett & Everett and T. Jule Warren for plaintiff.", "R. B. Dawes, Sr., and R. B. Dawes, Jr., for Original Defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "MYRTLE BURTON v. A. L. DIXON, Executor of the Will of C. P. WILSON, Original Defendant, and K. D. BURTON, Additional Defendant.\n(Filed 22 May 1963.)\n1. Conspiracy \u00a7 1\u2014\nIf two or more individu\u00e1is agree to do -an unlawful act or to do a lawful aet in an unlawful manner, and an overt aot which causes damage is committed by -any one or more of them in furtherance of the common design, the party injured may maintain an action against the conspirators jointly or severally.\n2. Conspiracy \u00a7 2\u2014\nA pleading alleging that husband and wife, acting together, invited the wife\u2019s father to live with them, and acted as co-partners in a joint venture to gain control of his property and convert it to their own use, that the husband persuaded his father-in-law to sign a power of attorney which the husband used to sell merchantable timber, and that the parties converted the proceeds of the sale to their own use, etc., is held sufficient to state a cause of action for civil conspiracy against the husband and wife, notwithstanding that it does not employ the words \u201cconspiracy\u201d or \u201cconspirators.\u201d\n3. Same; Husband and Wife \u00a7 2\u2014\nUnder both Virginia and North Carolina law husband and wife may conspire together, and an action for civil conspiracy may be maintained against the husband or wife alone. Virginia Code \u00a7 55-36; G.S. 52-10; G.S. 52-15.\n4. Pleadings \u00a7 8\u2014\nIn a daughter\u2019s action against 'the estate of her father to recover for personal services rendered her father prior to his death, the personal representative\u2019s counterclaim alleging that the daughter and her husband conspired to obtain control of her father\u2019s property, and pursuant thereto the husband procured power of attorney under which he sold merchantable timber and converted the proceeds to their use, held to meet the requirments of G*S. 1-137 that a several judgment must be permissible on a counterclaim.\n5. Same\u2014\nIn an action ew contractu defendant may set up a counterclaim in tort if it arises out of the same transaction or is connected with the subject of the action.\n6. Same; Executors and Administrators \u00a7 24a\u2014\nIn a daughter\u2019s action against her father\u2019s estate to recover for personal services rendered her father, the defendant executor may set up a counterclaim against her for civil conspiracy between her and her husband pursuant to which the husband obtained a power of attorney and sold merchantable timber belonging to her father and converted the proceeds to their own use, since the counterclaim is connected with the subject of the plaintiff\u2019s action and is so related thereto that adjustment of both is necessary in a full and final determination of the controversy.\n7. Judgments \u00a7 1; Parties \u00a7 8\u2014\nThe court may not order a nonresident over whom it has no jurisdiction to be joined as a party, even though such nonresident be a proper or even a necessary party, since jurisdiction of an action in personam can be acquired only by personal service, acceptance of service, or general appearance.\n8. Pleadings \u00a7 18\u2014\nWhere, in a daughter\u2019s action against the estate of her father to recover for personal services rendered him, defendant files a counterclaim alleging that the daughter and her husband, pursuant to a conspiracy, acquired control of testate\u2019s property and convented it to their own use, the joinder of the husband would not constitute a misjoinder of parties and causes, since the presence of the husband is necessary to a complete determination of the controversy.\nAppeal by plaintiff from Hobgood, J., in Chambers at Louisbueg, North Carolina, January 5, 1963. From Person.\nAction against defendant executor to recover for services rendered defendant\u2019s testate \u2019and for expenses incurred in his behalf.\nThe substance of the complaint is: Plaintiff and her husband, K. D. Burton, reside in Virginia. C. P. Wilson, plaintiff\u2019s father, came to live with her in 1956. He was old and infirm, stated that he expected to pay plaintiff for the services, care and support .rendered him and for expenses incurred on his behalf, .and promised to make provision in his will to compensate her. He continued to live with plaintiff until his death in 1961. Plaintiff by personal care and at her expense provided for all his needs, including hospital, medical and funeral expenses. He did not malee provision in his will to compensate plaintiff. She is entitled to recover 18,999.35.\nDefendant executor, answering, denies the material allegations of the complaint and sets up a counterclaim, which is summarized in part and verbatim in part as follows (numbering ours):\n(1). Plaintiff and her husband invited C. P. Wilson to live in their home \u201cto gain control of his assets and convert the same to their own use.\u201d And \u201cto this end . . . the plaintiff .and her husband planned together, acted as co-partners and as husband and wife in a joint venture.\u201d\n(2). . . (P)laintiff and her husband persuaded C. P. Wilson to sign ... a legal instrument purporting to give K. D. Burton broad and general power of attorney over the property of C. P. Wilson, including the right to dispose of any timber which C. P. Wilson owned.\u201d\n(3). \u201c. . . (S)ometime in 1958 K. D. Burton disposed of and received the proceeds from the sale of all merchantable timber from the farm of C. P. Wilson. ... (I)n selling this timber and in obtaining the power of attorney . . . K. D. Burton was acting with the knowledge, consent, approval and encouragement of his wife. . . .\u201d It \u201cwas a joint venture in which plaintiff and her husband acted as co-partners. . . . (T)he amount of money . . . received from the sale of timber was fraudulently misapplied and converted to the use of the plaintiff and her husband. . . . (T)here has never been an accounting for the proceeds from the sale of said timber. . . .\u201d The value of the timber converted is 16800.\n(4) By virtue of the power of attorney, K. D. Burton in 1957,1958, 1959 and 1960 collected rents due C. P. Wilson from the farm in the total amount of $4,412.22, and plaintiff and K. D. Burton, acting as \u201cco-partners and joint venturers,\u201d fraudulently converted these rents to their own use, and have never accounted therefor. An accounting is demanded.\nDefendant executor prays that K. D. Burton be made a party defendant and that he be served with process, and for judgment against plaintiff and K. D. Burton in the amount of $11,212.22.\nPlaintiff demurs to the counterclaim on the grounds:\n\u201c(4). That in the counterclaim there is a misjoinder of causes and parties.\u201d\n\u201c (5). That the purported counterclaim is a defective statement of any cause of action.\u201d\n(The first three grounds are not relied on in Supreme Court, are deemed abandoned, and are omitted here.)\nThe judge below overruled the demurrer, and plaintiff appealed. Plaintiff also petitioned for certiorari and the writ was allowed.\nEverett, Everett & Everett and T. Jule Warren for plaintiff.\nR. B. Dawes, Sr., and R. B. Dawes, Jr., for Original Defendant." }, "file_name": "0473-01", "first_page_order": 517, "last_page_order": 524 }