McCloud v. Franklin

Felton, J. (After stating the above facts.) The judgment on the demurrer to count one, unexcepted to, eliminates from the case the question whether the plaintiff is entitled to recover by reason of the fact that his failure to recover and partition certain *862 lands claimed by the defendants and other heirs of Sherman Price was due to the fact that the heirs did not co-operate with him. Under the record here presented, the construction of the contract was a matter for the court; but we think that the interpretation placed on the contract by the trial judge was incorrect, and that he erred in directing a verdict for the plaintiff. Our view is, that construing the contract as a whole, with the sole view of ascertaining the intention of the parties, it means that the attorney was employed to recover for the heirs certain lands held adversely to them, to which they claimed title, and to have them partitioned, upon which contingency he would receive the agreed fee. . We do not think that the. use.of the words, “is hereby employed as an attorney at law to look after all the legal interests of said tenants in common” means that the employment -was to represent ■ all legal interests generally. . The provision following the one. just quoted limits and defines “all.the legal interests.” The provision following states, “such as -getting -in-possession'-of-all realty,” etc.-'- Thé meaning is the -same 'as if the contract had stated, '“to look after all the legal interests involving -the recovery of property held adversely to the heir's.” • This construction--is supported by' the'-subsequent provisions, “and To do' all-things required and necessary in and about said property which--was once the'Sherman Price estate so as to make same available'1 to be -used and enjoyed'by said tenants-in common as owners of same, 'for which- legal 'sérvie'es the said party of the first part hereby agrees . . -to pay '.. i $1000, - . . said sum.to be paid as same is available from the sale off some, or all, of the property now claimed by said tenants in common, which was once the estate of their father. . '. It is-agreed that said tenants in common shall and will give said- party of the second part their full co-operation, assistance -and support to gain possession of any and all realty now held adversely to them, or anyone of them.” The statements in the contract with reference to obtaining possession of lands claimed by the heirs can refer to no lands other than those held adversely to the heirs, because there would be no necessity to recover lands owned and held by them. Likewise, the statement as to the source from which the fee was to be paid, means the proceeds from the sale of' lands recovered from those holding adversely, to the heirs. The word “claimed” means claimed as against those holding ad *863 versely, and does not refer to lands owned by the heirs and not claimed by others. We can not agree with the plaintiff in the court below that the contract is one for general legal services to be paid for out of lands recovered, or other lands now owned by the heirs which are in their possession and about the ownership of which there is no dispute. The evidence shows without dispute that the contingency provided for in the contract was not brought about, and that the attorney’s- fee never did accrue. The fee was “to be paid as the same is available from the sale of some or all of the property now claimed by said tenants in common which was once the estate of their father, Sherman Price, deceased.” The court erred in directing a verdict for the plaintiff, and in overruling the defendants’ motion for a new trial. Special ground 1 is without merit, as a non-joinder of parties must be objected to at the first term by special plea, or by special demurrer, and can not be raised for the first time by motion for new trial or bill of exceptions. Code, § ,81.304; Merritt v. Bagwell, 70 Ga. 578 (3); Hogan v. Morris, 7 Ga. App. 232 (4) (66 S. E. 550); Greenwood v. Starr, 174 Ga. 503 (2) (163 S. E. 500). .It is not necessary to pass on the other questions raised.' Judgment reversed. Sutton, P. J., concurs.