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1 Mann. Unrep. Cas. 320

Blake v. Kearney

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Decided July 1, 1880

Supreme Court of Louisiana · decided 1880-07-01

McVea, J. Mrs. Fenn, the mother-in-law of the defendant, held his note for $893.83, and in February, 1872,-voluntarily destroyed it in his presence, telling him she did not wish it paid. No consideration was agreed on between them for this act, but on the same day, Kearney gave her Ms oMigation, expressed to be for vaMe received, to pay her seventy-five dollars per annum-during her natural life.

Decided 1880-07-01

Marr, J.

¶1It is evident that the intention of Mrs. Fenn was to remit the debt of which the note destroyed was the evidence. This intention was not postponed to take effect after the death of Mrs. Fenn, or at any future day. It was carried into effect and executed at once, and in the most unequivocal and certain manner. Mrs. Fenn told Kearney she did not wish the note to be paid, and when she destroyed the note, in order to manifest and make effectual that right and intention, she expressly granted to him the remission of the debt. R. C. C., Art. 2199. The debtor is always presumed to have accepted the remission and it cannot be revoked by the creditor. R. C. C., Art. 2201.

¶2These acts constituted a conventional remission of the debt, and the obligation was thereby extinguished, and no consideration was necessary; in fact, remission is purely voluntary on the part of the creditor. R. C. C., Art. 2130; Newton v. Noble, 1 An. 194.

¶3It is alleged in the petition that Mrs. Fenn left forced heirs, of whom plaintiff is one; but it is not alleged that the amount of the note destroyed was in excess of the disposable portion; nor is this a suit to reduce an excessive donation. The absolute nullity of the remission of the debt is demanded upon the sole ground that it was to take effect after the death of Mrs. Fenn, and was an attempt by her to make to Kearney a donation mortis causa by parol.

¶4Whatever may have been the intention of Mrs. Fenn in destroying the note, that intention was executed at the time. If it was a donation, it was a donation inter vivos.

¶5Judgment affirmed.

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