Sandra Griffin South v. Billy Griffin ( 1999 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 1999-CA-01432-SCT
IN RE: ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN RAMMIE ABERNATHY, JR.,
DECEASED
CONSOLIDATED WITH
NO. 1999-CA-01433-SCT
IN RE: ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN RAMMIE ABERNATHY, JR.,
DECEASED
CONSOLIDATED WITH
NO. 1999-CA-01506-SCT
IN RE: ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN RAMMIE ABERNATHY, JR.,
DECEASED
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 08/17/1999
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. TIMOTHY E. ERVIN
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: ALCORN COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: GREG E. BEARD
B. SEAN AKINS
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE: PHIL R. HINTON
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED -01/25/2001
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED: 1/31/2001; denied 3/8/2001
MANDATE ISSUED: 3/15/2001; corrected: statutory penalty awarded 4/5/2001
BEFORE BANKS, P.J., SMITH AND COBB, JJ.
SMITH, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. This case comes to this Court on appeal from the Alcorn County Chancery Court. The chancellor ruled
that no clear and convincing evidence was established to create a resulting trust from the will of Frances G.
Abernathy. In a consolidated case, with Sue McLellan, the chancellor ruled there was no presumption in
favor of a joint tenancy with regards to a safety deposit box. Aggrieved by the chancellor's findings, Bruce
and Sandra Griffin appeal, along with Sue McLellan. In this consolidated case, the following issues are
raised on appeal to this Court:
I. WHETHER THE ISSUE OF CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST WAS PROPERLY BEFORE
THE LOWER COURT?
II. WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED BY FINDING THAT THERE WAS NOT
CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE TO ESTABLISH A TRUST THEREBY
DENYING THE IMPOSITION OF AN EQUITABLE TRUST?
III. WHETHER THE CHANCELLOR ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE DEPOSIT BOX
RENTAL AGREEMENT PRECLUDED THE EXISTENCE OF A JOINT TENANCY
FORMED OUTSIDE OF THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT?
¶2. We hold that because John Rammie Abernathy failed to execute his own last will and testament his
estate will pass through intestate succession. We also hold that no right of survivorship as joint tenants was
created in favor of Sue McLellan as to the safe deposit box. We affirm the chancellor.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
¶3. Frances G. Abernathy was a widow and mother of one child, John Rammie Abernathy, Jr. She died on
October 22, 1997, survived by her son and two brothers. Ms. Abernathy had executed a will on August 5,
1985. The will left everything to her son, John Rammie. Also, in a paragraph labeled Item IV, Ms.
Abernathy stated "I do hereby give, devise and bequeath all of my estate, both real, personal and mixed to
my son, John Rammie Abernathy, Jr. It is to be specifically understood and agreed that none of my
brothers are to receive anything from my estate." (emphasis added). At the time the will was executed, Ms.
Abernathy had two living brothers.
¶4. A month after Ms. Abernathy passed away, John Rammie filed the purported will of his mother with the
Chancery Court of Alcorn County. Before her estate was closed, John Rammie died intestate on August 7,
1998, leaving no spouse and no children. Through intestate succession, the living brothers of Frances
Abernathy would inherit her estate and that of her son.
¶5. Ms. Abernathy originally had three brothers, Billy Griffin, Tillman Griffin, and Bruce Griffin. Bruce
Griffin passed away before Ms. Abernathy made her will in 1985. Billy and Tillman were specifically
addressed in her will, as they were the only living brothers she had at the time the will was executed.
¶6. The appellants, in the first case, are the children of Ms. Abernathy's deceased brother, Sandra Griffin
South ("Sandra") and Bruce Griffin, Jr. ("Bruce"). The Appellee is one of Ms. Abernathy's brothers who
was referred to in Item IV of her will, Billy Griffin. Sandra and Bruce argue that a constructive trust, more
specifically, a resulting trust should be created and that they, along with the other cousins of John Rammie,
should be the beneficiaries of that trust. In other words, they argue that Frances Abernathy's will created a
trust with John Rammie as a trustee. John Rammie breached the trust by not creating his own will that would
exclude his uncles from inheriting the estate. For this reason, they argue that a resulting trust should be
created by the court. The lower court held that no constructive trust had been proven by clear and
convincing evidence. Aggrieved by those findings, Sandra and Bruce appeal to this Court.
¶7. The second case that has been consolidated into this case appeal deals with appellant McLellan. Sue
McLellan, became acquainted with John Rammie in October of 1995. He was a patient at North
Mississippi Medical Center after he had been injured in an automobile accident. McLellan was a nurse in
the orthopedic unit and was in charge of caring for John Rammie. McLellan and John Rammie became
close friends while he was in the hospital and remained good friends even after his release.
¶8. After John Rammie's mother passed away, McLellan moved into the Abernathy home in December of
1997. She lived there for six months and cared for John Rammie. While she was living there, Rammie
showed her where he kept the keys to his lock boxes and instructed her to retrieve the contents and use the
money however she needed to if anything ever happened to him. McLellan moved out of the Abernathy
house in June of 1998 and continued to visit John Rammie on weekends.
¶9. On July 10, 1998, John Rammie requested the Deposit Guaranty National Bank to add Sue McLellan's
name to the lock box held at the bank. The box contained several thousand dollars in cash, documents, and
jewelry. John Rammie met with Ann Rickman ("Rickman") who was a bank employee and the one who
always handled his business at the bank. Rickman explained to John Rammie that if McLellan's name were
added to the box, she would have the right to remove any of the contents without any notice to him. John
Rammie understood and the box was then titled "John Rammie Abernathy or Sue McLellan." The rental
agreement was signed in the presence of bank employees by both McLellan and John Rammie.
¶10. On August 7, 1998, John Rammie Abernathy, Jr. died intestate. McLellan claims that she is entitled to
the contents of the safe deposit box. The lower court held that there was no presumption of a joint tenancy
in regards to the contents of the safe deposit box. For this reason, McLellan appeals to this Court.
DISCUSSION OF LAW
¶11. "This Court must determine if effect was given to the testatrix's intent when reviewing the decision of
the chancellor." In re Estate of Homburg, 697 So.2d 1154, 1157 (Miss. 1997) (citing Tinnin v. First
United Bank, 502 So.2d 659, 663 (Miss. 1987)). This Court has held that it is the responsibility of the
courts to respect the intent of the testatrix. In re Estate of Williams, 672 So.2d 1173, 1175 (Miss.
1996).
¶12. A constructive trust is one that arises by operation of law against one who, by fraud, actual or
constructive, by duress or abuse of confidence, by commission of wrong, or by any form of unconscionable
conduct, artifice concealment, or questionable means, or who in any way against equity and good
conscience, either has obtained or holds the legal right to property which he ought not, in equity and good
conscience, hold and enjoy. Saulsberry v. Saulsberry, 223 Miss. 684, 690, 78 So.2d 758, 760 (1955).
¶13. Furthermore, as the final appellate court in Mississippi, our standard of review of findings of fact,
including those regarding a constructive trust, is limited in that we must not set aside a chancellor's findings
of fact so long as they are supported by substantial credible evidence. Allgood v. Allgood, 473 So.2d
416, 421 (Miss. 1985). However, this Court conducts a de novo review of all questions of law. This
includes those regarding the applicability of a constructive trust. Seymour v. Brunswick Corp., 655 So.2d
892 (Miss.1995); Harrison County v. City of Gulfport, 557 So.2d 780, 784 (Miss.1990).
¶14. Also, the issue of whether a joint tenancy was created with regards to a rental agreement raises a
question of law. Of course, this Court conducts a de novo review on questions of law. Tucker v. Hinds
County, 558 So.2d 869, 872 (Miss. 1990).
I.
¶15. The first question presented to this Court is whether the issue of constructive trust was ever properly
before the lower court. Billy Griffin, brother of Frances Abernathy, asserts that the appellants' complaint did
not raise the issue of constructive trust. As this Court has previously stated, "[w]hile M.R.C.P. 8 has
eliminated the technical forms of pleadings required in years past, notice pleadings are still required to place
the opposing party on notice of the claim being asserted. No magic words are required by the Rules of Civil
Procedure." Estate of Stevens v. Wetzel, 762 So.2d 293, 295 (Miss. 2000). Also, this Court has held
that pleadings only have to provide sufficient notice to the defendant of claims and grounds upon which
relief can be granted. Dynasteel Corp. v. Aztec Indus., Inc., 611 So.2d 977, 984 (Miss. 1992).
¶16. In the case sub judice, the complaint provided the necessary facts to place Billy Griffin on notice of the
constructive trust claim. The complaint provided that the Last Will and Testament of Frances Abernathy
should be honored and that her brothers should not be allowed to inherit from her estate due to the express
provisions in her will. This Court finds that this issue is without merit. Based on the pleadings, the defendants
were prepared and put on notice for the theory of constructive trust to be raised. Therefore, the issue of
constructive trust was properly before the lower court.
II.
¶17. Sandra and Bruce allege that the chancellor erred in holding that there was no clear and convincing
evidence to establish a constructive, resulting trust. They argue that the Last Will and Testament of Frances
G. Abernathy, along with a deposition of Chancellor John C. Ross, was sufficient to satisfy the standard of
proof. We hold that the chancellor was correct in holding that a resulting trust should not be established.
¶18. This Court has stated that "the surest guide to testamentary intent is the wording employed by the
maker of the will. . . ." In re Estate of Homburg, 697 So. 2d at 1157 (citing Tinnin, 502 So.2d at 663.
Additionally, this Court has held that both constructive and resulting trusts are creatures of equity. Church
of God Pentecostal, Inc. v. Freewill Pentecostal Church of God, Inc., 716 So.2d 200, 206 (Miss.
1998). "A constructive trust is one that arises by operation of law against one who, by fraud, actual or
constructive, by duress or abuse of confidence, by commission of wrong, or by any form of unconscionable
conduct, artifice, concealment, or questionable means, or who in any way against equity and good
conscience, either has obtained or holds legal right to property which he ought not, in equity and good
conscience, hold and enjoy." Sojourner v. Sojourner, 247 Miss. 342, 353, 153 So.2d 803, 807 (1963)
(citing 54 Am.Jur., Trusts, § 218). This Court has also defined resulting trusts as:
implied by law from the acts and conduct of the parties and the facts and circumstances which at the
time exist and surround the transaction out of which it arises. Broadly speaking, a resulting trust arises
from the nature or circumstances of consideration involved in a transaction whereby one person
becomes invested with a legal title but is obligated in equity to hold his legal title for the benefit of
another, the intention of the former to hold in trust for the latter being implied or presumed as a matter
of law, although no intention to create or hold in trust has been manifested, expressly or by inference,
and there ordinarily being no fraud or constructive fraud involved.
Church of God Pentecostal, Inc., 716 So.2d at 207 (citing 76 Am.Jur.2d Trusts §166 (1992)). A
resulting trust is basically an "intention-enforcing trust." Id. In other words, a resulting trust is designed to
give effect to the actual intention of a party although that intention was not directly expressed. Simmons v.
Simmons, 724 So.2d 1054, 1056 (Miss. Ct. App.1998).
¶19. In her will, Frances Abernathy, expressly stated that "[i]t is to be specifically understood and agreed
that none of my brothers are to receive anything from my estate." Although she did not expressly create a
trust, her intent to exclude her brothers from her estate was obvious. However, her intention was satisfied
when John Rammie inherited all of her estate. When John Rammie inherited this estate, the estate became
his own. At that point, it was John Rammie's responsibility to prepare a will that would dispose of his estate
in accordance with his wishes.
¶20. The burden of proof in establishing that a resulting trust should be created is on the proponent of the
will. The proponent must establish the facts by clear and convincing evidence. Shumpert v. Tanner, 332
So.2d 411, 412 (Miss. 1976). We find that such clear and convincing evidence is not apparent from the
facts of this case.
¶21. The chancellor held that, after reading Ms. Abernathy's will, he believed that there was not clear and
convincing evidence to establish a resulting trust. He said that upon Frances Abernathy's death, her entire
estate passed to her son, John Rammie. John Rammie died intestate; therefore, John Rammie's estate will
pass through intestate succession. We agree.
¶22. Although it is clear that, for some reason, Frances Abernathy was adamant about excluding her
brothers, a resulting trust should not be imposed on John Rammie's estate. Since a resulting trust is an
"intention-enforcing trust," we would need to know John Rammie's intention, and that intention here is silent.
John Rammie had approximately ten months after his mother's death to prepare his own will. Unfortunately,
he did not.
While the law recognizes that there is no method known to the law by which to make people prudent
. . ., every person must be presumed to know the law, and the absence of some misrepresentation or
illegal concealment of facts, the person must abide by the consequences of his contracts and actions .
. . [I]n the absence of fraud, deceit, or fiduciary relations of some kind, the court cannot relieve a
person from the consequences of his acts merely because he has not acted prudently or diligently . . .
McNeil v. Hester, 753 So.2d 1057, 1067 (Miss. 2000). For these reasons, we agree with the chancellor
that Frances Abernathy's estate passed to John Rammie. John Rammie did not execute a will, and his estate
will pass through intestate succession.
III.
¶23. Lastly, the suit by Sue McLellan against the Abernathy estates was consolidated into the case sub
judice. Sue McLellan asks this Court to determine whether the chancellor erred in finding that the deposit
box rental agreement precluded the existence of a joint tenancy.
¶24. The general rule established by this Court is that where a joint tenancy has been created by a clear and
unambiguous agreement, and where there is no evidence to dispute that agreement, this Court will hold that
a true joint tenancy exists with respect to the contents of a safe deposit box. Duling v. Duling's Estate,
211 Miss. 465, 479, 52 So.2d 39, 45 (1951). Our Court has held that the distinguishing characteristic of a
joint tenancy is the right of survivorship. Vaughn v. Vaughn, 238 Miss. 342, 349, 118 So.2d 620, 622
(1960). However, courts continue to hold that people must, by contract, purposely fasten survivorship
rights to items kept in a safe deposit box.(1) Duling, 52 So.2d at 45.
¶25. Our Court addressed a similar issue in Madden v. Rhodes, 626 So.2d 608 (Miss. 1993). There,
Madden, a nurse, who was a hospice volunteer, was taking care of an elderly couple. Id. at 610. Madden
went to their home at least twice a week and stayed for periods of four to six hours each visit. Id. at 611.
The couple gave Madden several gifts over the period of time while she cared for them. Id. Madden was
also given a key to their home, was shown where a hidden cash box was located, and was shown where
important documents were kept. Id. Madden's name was put on a safety deposit box agreement with
Merchants Bank. Id. at 612. In this case, the bank's policy was to set up these accounts as "joint accounts-
with right of survivorship" unless otherwise specified. Id. The Court held that "absent the unrebutted
presumption of undue influence, Madden would have been entitled to the contents of . . . the . . .lock box,
in [its] entirety." Id. at 617. Finally, the Court affirmed the lower court's judgment that Madden did not
overcome the presumption of undue influence and was not entitled to the contents of the box.
¶26. The case sub judice is distinguishable from Madden. In our case, John Rammie went to the Deposit
Guaranty National Bank to add Sue McLellan's name to his safety deposit box agreement. The branch
manager, Ann Rickman, fully advised Mr. Abernathy that by adding a person's name to the account, they
would have equal rights to the box. Mr. Abernathy informed Ms. Rickman that he would maintain both keys
to the deposit box. Ms. Rickman also testified that she made it clear to Mr. Abernathy that he was not, by
his actions, giving Sue McLellan the contents of the box, but was merely giving her access to the box. In the
actual safety deposit box rental agreement, paragraph 10 states that "[i]f the Lessee consists of two or more
persons as Joint-Tenants, it is acknowledged and agreed that said Joint-Tenancy is created and exists solely
with respect to the use and occupancy of the herein described safe deposit box, and does not extend to,
nor attempt to create an interest in, the contents of said safe deposit box." Additionally, there was testimony
by Sue McLellan that, even after she moved out of the Abernathy home, Mr. Abernathy kept both keys to
the box at his house at all times. The rental agreement did not create survivorship rights.
¶27. McLellan argues that the contract itself did not prevent a joint tenancy, it simply did not create one.
McLellan also cites to Madden for the proposition that a joint tenancy was created in this case. However,
in Madden, our Court held that "where a joint tenancy has been created by a clear and unambiguous
agreement, and the evidence of the existence of a contrary intention is not present, the Courts have held
that a true joint tenancy has been created with respect to the contents of a safe deposit box and the
surviving tenants become vested with title thereto." Madden, 626 So.2d at 616 (citing Duling, 211 Miss.
at 479, 52 So.2d 45).
¶28. In the case at bar, the agreement does not clearly and unambiguously create a joint tenancy. In fact,
the agreement clearly and specifically states that it does not create an interest in the contents of the safe
deposit box. It appears that Deposit Guaranty's form was poorly drafted. It did refer to the Lessees as
Joint-Tenants but specifically stated that no rights are to be created in regards to the contents of the box.
Our Court has held that a distinguishing characteristic of a joint tenancy is the right of survivorship. In other
words, Deposit Guaranty seems to have mistakenly referred to McLellan and Abernathy as joint tenants
when, in fact, no rights of survivorship were actually created.
¶29. We hold that the contract did not create a joint tenancy with regard to the contents of the safe deposit
box. It did, in fact, specifically prevent the creation of survivorship rights. Also, the record shows that Ann
Rickman, branch manager of Deposit Guaranty, did inform Mr. Abernathy that he was not giving McLellan
the contents of the box but simply giving her access to the box. For this reason, it is not necessary for us to
move to the next step of undue influence because a joint tenancy was never clearly and unambiguously
created. We hold that the lower court was correct in finding that a joint tenancy did not exist as to the
contents of the safe deposit box, and it should therefore be affirmed as to this issue.
CONCLUSION
¶30. Frances Abernathy's estate passed to John Rammie Abernathy. John Rammie failed to execute his
own last will and testament. Therefore, his estate will pass through intestate succession.
¶31. We also hold that no right of survivorship as joint tenants was created regarding the contents of the
safe deposit box. For this reason, McLellan is not entitled to the contents. The judgment of the lower court
is affirmed.
¶32. AFFIRMED.
PITTMAN, C.J., BANKS, P.J., MILLS, WALLER, COBB AND DIAZ, JJ., CONCUR.
McRAE, P.J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. EASLEY, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
1. See also Brown v. Navarre, 169 P.2d 85 (Ariz. 1946); In re Watkins' Estate, 108 P.2d 417 (Cal.
1940); In re Gaines' Estate, 100 P.2d 1055 (Cal. 1940); Young v. Young, 14 P.2d 580 (Cal. Ct.
App. 1932); In re Koester's Estate. 3 N.E.2d 102 (Ill. App. Ct. 1936).