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70 Me. 92

Stevens v. Stevens

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine

Decided June 25, 1879

Supreme Judicial Court of Maine · decided 1879-06-25

Bill in equity, heard on bill, answer and proof. The bill alleges in substance that on April 7,1868, he conveyed by quitclaim deed certain land to his mother (Hannah Stevens); that being about to travel, he took a note for $500 and a moi’tgage of the premises from his mother running to his wife (respondent) to hold in trust for him until his return; that his wife was then in Massachusetts, paid no part of the consideration and knew nothing of the transaction until he sent…

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently October 1906

1 district ·

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1879-06-25

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Daneorth, J.

¶1It is undoubtedly a well established principle in equity that in ordinary cases when land is conveyed to one person on the payment of the consideration by another, a resulting trust will be presumed in favor of him who pays the consideration.

¶2When, however, the purchase is made by a husband and the conveyance is to the wife, this principle does not apply, but the presumption is, that it was intended for the benefit of the wife. 2 Story’s Eq. Jur., § 1204. Whitten v. Whitten, 3 Cush. 197. Spring v. Hight, 22 Maine, 408.

¶3Hence, in this case the burden of proof rests upon the plaintiff not only to overcome this presumption, but to establish the trust relied upon in his bill. An examination of the testimony, assuming its admissibility, shows a preponderance in favor of the presumption.

¶4Bill dismissed with costs.

Appleton, C. J., Walton, Barrows and Libbet, J J., concurred.
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