Barnes v. . Cherry

Adams, J. Subject to certain exceptions the lien of a judgment docketed on the judgment docket of the Superior Court expires at the end of ten years from the rendition. C. S. 614; Lytle v. Lytle, 94 N. C., 683; Barnes v. Fort, 169 N. C., 431. "When the judgment debtor’s homestead is allotted, the allotment, as to all property therein embraced, suspends the running of the statute of limitations on all judgments against the homesteader during the continuance of the homestead. C. S., 728. It will be seen, then, that the appeal turns upon the question whether the lien of any of the judgments recovered against James W. Draughan or his administratrix has expired or whether it continues in effect so as to prevent the conveyance by the plaintiffs of an unencumbered title to their interest in the homestead. In the solution there is necessarily involved the further question whether the homestead right terminated in 1906, when the youngest child became of age, or in 1924, the date of the widow’s death. If it terminated in 1906 the lien of the judgment has expired; if in 1924, it has not expired. The answer to these questions may be found in the Court’s interpretation of certain sections of the organic law relating to homesteads and exemptions. The Constitution provides that the homestead, after the death of the owner thereof, shall be exempt from the payment of any debt during' the minority of his children, or any of them (Art. 10, sec. 3); and if the owner of a homestead die, leaving a widow but no children, the same shall be exempt from the debts of her husband, and the rents and profits thereof shall inure to her benefit during her widowhood, unless she be the owner of a homestead in her own right. Art. 10, sec. 5. In a number of our decisions these sections have been construed as meaning that a widow is not entitled to a homestead in the lands of her husband if he die leaving children, whether minors or adults; and these authorities are controlling in the present case. As the homestead right terminated in 1906, when the youngest child arrived at the age of twenty-one, the homestead is not subject to the lien of the judgments or of any of them. Wharton v. Leggett, 80 N. C., 169; Gregory v. Ellis, 86 N. C., 579; Saylor v. Powell, 90 N. C., 202; Williams v. Whitaker, 110 N. C., 393; Formeyduval v. Rockwell, 117 N. C., 320; Simmons v. Respass, 151 N. C., 5; Fulp v. Brown, 153 N. C., 531. The judgment is Affirmed.