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123 Mich. 193

Smith v. Kidd

Michigan Supreme Court

Decided March 6, 1900

Michigan Supreme Court · decided 1900-03-06

Bill by Alfred E. Smith against Andrew J. Kidd and others to set aside a levy and sale on execution. From a decree dismissing the bill, complainant appeals. Complainant seeks by bill in equity to set aside an execution levy and sale upon the ground that the land levied upon and sold was a homestead. Complainant purchased the land in 1892, built a house upon it, moved into it, and resided there until 1894.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently December 1906

2 state decisions

Relies on Hoffman v. Buschman

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Affirmed · Decided 1900-03-06

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Grant, J.

¶1(after stating the facts). If complainant had not abandoned his homestead, it would follow that there can be no abandonment if the party will testify that he intended at some future time to return to it. Ownership and occupancy are both required by the Constitution and statute to establish a homestead. Const, art. 16, § 2; 3 Comp. Laws 1897, § 10362. Temporary absence has often been held not to destroy the occupancy required. Complainant testified: “I don’t know as I will come back to New Buffalo at all. I think I will make my home in East Tawas. I have not fully made up my mind to this. I have been thinking of this about a year.” The abandonment was complete. The circuit judge was right in dismissing the bill. The case is ruled by Hoffman v. Buschman, 95 Mich. 538 (55 N. W. 458), where the defendants made a much stronger case than has the complainant in this.

¶2Decree affirmed.

The other Justices concurred.
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