Dalton v. Keers

SHENK, J.

This is an appeal from a judgment in specific performance.

In October, 1919, Anna Dalton, the plaintiff, and George W. Gould, since deceased, established a joint bank account in the Hibernia Savings and Loan Society in San Francisco. Thereafter from time to time and until August 24, 1926, deposits were made in that account aggregating some $15,000. It is an admitted fact that all of the money deposited in that account, prior to deposit, belonged to George W. Góuld, and that all of the withdrawals therefrom were made by the plaintiff.

On May 10, 1926, the defendants Keers and McGain were the owners of the real property involved in this action, which is located in San Mateo County, and which is described by metes and bounds. On that day they were paid from the joint account the sum of $1100, which was the full purchase price of said property. Instead of taking a deed to the property, and for reasons which do not appear from the record, an ordinary contract of conditional sale was executed, wherein Keers and McGain were named as the sellers and G. W. Gould

or

Anna Dalton were named as the purchasers. Receipt of the $1100 was acknowledged therein as payment in full. On July 26, 1926, George W. Gould

and

Anna Dalton executed a written contract with a builder-for the construction of a house on said property for the sum of $3,375.

[206]

George W. Gould died on October 28, 1926, in the city of San Francisco. On the day before his' death, Anna Dalton withdrew from the bank account the sum of $2,000, and on the day of his death she withdrew the further sum of $270, thereby reducing the balance in the account to the sum of $5.53.

The decedent’s will was filed for probate, and in February, 1927, the defendant executor was appointed. In April, 1928, this action was brought by Anna Dalton to compel the conveyance to her as sole owner of the title to said property. The complaint is grounded on said contract of purchase and sale. The defendants Keers and McGain interposed no defense and stand ready to convey the title in accordance with the order of the court. The executor answered and also filed a cross-complaint, in which it was alleged that George ,W. Gould, prior to 1914, was a resident of South Dakota; that about that time he came to California to regain his health; that shortly thereafter .he took up his residence with Anna Dalton and her husband in San Francisco; that Mr. Gould paid the rent and upkeep of the house until the time of his death; that by reason of his poor health he could not. conveniently attend to his banking and. other business; that he reposed great trust and confidence in Anna Dalton and by reason thereof he established the bank account in the manner above described; that during the existence of said account the withdrawals from said fund were made by Anna Dalton for the use and benefit of George W. Gould; that in May, 1926, said real property was purchased on the advice of Anna Dalton; that said building contract was entered into for and on behalf of George W. Gould, and that the withdrawals were made from said bank account by Anna Dalton as the agent and trustee of George W. Gould. The prayer of the cross-coinplaint was that it be decreed that George W. Gould was the owner of said property during his lifetime; that a conveyance be ordered in favor of the executor and for an accounting of said fund on the part of the plaintiff.