Christensen v. Esbeck , 167 Iowa 130 ( 1914 )

Witi-irow, J.

I. Proceeding was brought in the district court of Pottawattamie county to subject the homestead of defendants to the lien of a judgment held by plaintiff, secured by him in justice’s court of Leroy township, in Audubon county, in August, 1896. A transcript of the judgment was, in September of that year, filed in the office of the clerk of the district court of that county, and, under the statute, was entered as a judgment in that court. It is alleged that the judgment was based on a promissory note for $240, by its terms payable in Audubon county; and further that the property sought in this proceeding to be subjected to the judgment was acquired by the defendants subsequent to the time when the obligation upon which plaintiff’s judgment was based was created. The amount of the judgment as originally entered was $290.20, with costs.

The defendants, husband and wife, say that at the time of the commencement of the action in justice’s court, they were, and are now, residents of Pottawattamie county. They pleaded that the real estate now attacked was their homestead long prior to the rendition of the judgment which is the basis of this suit, and has continuously been so occupied by them. They deny that any judgment was entered against them by said justice of the peace, or that the transcript of any judgment was filed. They deny that any notice of the pendency of that suit was served upon them. In a cross-petition the averments of the answer are substantially repeated; that the alleged judgment against them was invalid, being in excess of the jurisdiction of the justice of the peace; and that it was void. They further plead that the record of the justice is silent as to necessary statements, there being no record showing that he had jurisdiction either of the parties or of the subject-matter. Affirmative relief is asked. The district court found against the contention of the defendants, holding that the proof showed the judgment to have been regularly entered; that notice was served and returned in such manner, as to give jurisdiction to the court; and that the suit was based on a written contract, payable in Audubon, Audubon county, and that it provided for jurisdiction by the justice of the peace. The cross-petition was dismissed, the temporary injunction restraining the enforcement of the judgment was dissolved, and the property was held to be subject to .the lien of the judgment. The defendants appeal.

II. The transcript of the judgment entered by the justice of the peace was properly entitled, reciting the nature and amount of plaintiff’s claim, the issuance of the original notice returnable at a day and hour fixed, which notice was delivered to the constable for service, who later returned it with his return thereon, showing that he served it on the defendants in the manner required by law, in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie county. The record further shows failure to appear by defendants, and the entry of a default and judgment against them. It is claimed by the appellants that the jurisdictional facts do not appear of record, and that the judgment is void.

1' theTpbace°? amount: co¿sent: record. Directly stated, the claim of appellants as to this branch of the ease is that the record must show that he had jurisdiction as to the amount for which he entered judgment, which was in excess of $100. In point, and controlling as to this branch of the case, is Schlisman v. Webber, 65 Iowa, 114, in which this court held that, if consent to jurisdiction existed and was shown as a fact, the court had jurisdiction, and the judgment would be valid even though no record of the fact was made.

2' to^iurismctioS*: On the trial of this ease in the district court, the original papers having been shown to be lost, parol evidence was admitted to prove the provision of the note which was the basis of the original suit. Under a proper showing of the lost instrument, as was made in this case, such proof was competent. That proof showed that the note was payable at Audubon, Iowa, and that it provided for jurisdiction under $300. It came within the requirements of Code, section 4477, and, in fact, conferred jurisdiction of the subject-matter upon the justice court.

8. Same : jurisdiction : place oí performance. The proof as to the place of payment (Audubon) also gave jurisdiction to the justice where the action was brought, upon proof of proper service, it being shown that Audubon is situated in Leroy township, the contract by its terms being suable at that place. Code, section 3496; Thompson v. Thompson, 117 Iowa, 68. The transcript filed by the justice of the peace and the judgment upon which it was based were sufficiently broad, containing, as we have noted, all matters required by Code, section 4484, to be included in the docket entries of the justice.

notice: service: paioievidence. III. It is claimed that no notice of the pendency of the action was, in fact, served upon the defendants, and that the docket entry to that effect is untrue. If not true, the recitation of the fact of service and return of notice would not be conclusive nor controlling, ana jxid.gm.erLt would be void.. Gerrish v. Seaton, 73 Iowa, 15, and parol evidence would be admissible to show the fact of want of jurisdiction, even though the record recited due and legal service. Newcomb v. Dewey, 27 Iowa, 381.

When such issue is raised, and it is shown that the original notice, with the officer’s return, is lost, parol evidence is admissible to prove the fact of service and return. Bridges v. Arnold, 37 Iowa, 223. Under the issues the case was open to proof upon that point.

oí' original106 notice : presumption: evidence. Both of the defendants testified that the officer, John Norris, called at their home in Council Bluffs to see about the collection of the note, bnt say that he served no papers on them. Norris, the constable, whose testimony was taken by deposition, testified that he . . served the original notice on both defendants in August, 1896, by reading the same to them, and by delivering copy, and that he went to Council Bluffs especially for that purpose. He also testified that he made his return on the back of the notice, and returned it to court. He also testified over objection that it was his custom always to verify the service when made outside of Audubon county.

The record of the justice contained a sufficient recital of the return and service of notice by the constable. Under such facts a presumption arises in favor of the judgment as to matters being based upon proper service of notice. 23 Cye. 1082; Code, section 4648. The recitation of service gives to the judgment in that respect the strength which is had by a judgment of a court of general or superior jurisdiction, to which the presumption of regularity arises, and which can only be overcome by positive proof. 23 Cyc. 1078. The trial court found that the original notice had been served. We think under the record that finding had ample support.

6. Same : return of service: presumption: proof. IV. Giving to the record of the inferior court the presumption to which it is entitled, we must also conclude that the claim that it is not shown that the return of service was sworn to eannot be upheld.

The service was made outside the county by the constable, and his return required verification. He gives it as his belief that he so did. That fact, however, is not required to be stated in the docket of the justice, and its recitation of due return of service is all that is required by statute. There is no proof that it was not properly returned, and the presumption which attaches to the record made by the justice must prevail.

7. Homesteads: liability tor . antecedent debts V. The note which was the basis of the judgment was dated March 1, 1904. The purchase of the real estate by the appellants was July 14, 1905, and from that time they occupied it as their homestead. The judgment on the note was entered September 7, 1896. The * } property was, under Code, section 2976, liable for debts antedating its purchase. The indebtedness in this case does not rest upon the judgment, but upon the note, of which indebtedness it was the evidence, and, the judgment being valid, the exemption would not apply.

The decree of the trial court was correct, and it is— Affirmed.

Ladd, C. J., and Deemer and Gaynor, JJ., concur.