Payette v. Free Home Building, Loan & Homestead Ass'n

Moran, P. J. The decree appealed from in this case was entered on a bill filed by defendant in error against plaintiff in error to foreclose a certain trust deed which was executed by-Edward Payette and wife to Patrick "W". Holway as trustee, to secure the payment of an indebtedness of $1,300 from said Payette to the said defendant in error. The loan was made under the terms usual with said Loan and Building Association, and was payable in monthly installments, and the borrower became, under the rules of the association, a stockholder therein. It is sought to defend against the right of defendant in error to a decree of foreclosure, on the ground that the association did not comply-with the provision of the law regarding the organization of such associations, and that therefore it never became a corporation under the law, and can not transact business or have a standing in court as such. It appears that there was an attempt to organize the association made in good faith under a law of this State authorizing the organization of such associations, and that the association has done business as a corporation, and that plaintiff in error contracted with the association as a corporation de facto, and received the money which, by his contract with the association, he agreed to repay, from the said association. Under such circumstances he will not be allowed to suggest a defect in the organization in order to prevent the recovery of the money loaned to him. While under the rules of the association he became a stockholder, yet the suit is not brought to recover for his shares of stock, but to recover for money advanced to him. Hence he does not come under the exception to the general rule which allows a stockholder, when sued for Ips stock subscription, to question the legal existence of a corporation. Hudson v. Green Hill Seminary, 113 Ill. 618. The association was entitled to a decree of foreclosure for the money loaned and the interest thereon according to the terms of the agreement executed by Payette, but not to a decree including attorney’s fees; and the decree having allowed attorney’s fees against plaintiffs in error, must therefore be reversed. The trust deel which is being foreclosed authorized the payment of attorney’s fees in case a bill was filed by the trustee, in his own name or otherwise, to obtain a decree for the sale of the premises conveyed in the trust deed. This bill is not filed by the trustee, but by the cestuñ que trust j hence the agreement to pay attorney’s fees does not apply in favor of the complainant. Stipulations in trust deeds or mortgages to pay attorney’s fees are always strictly construed, and are never enforced except under the terms of the agreement they are clearly provided for. See the opinion of this court by Mr. Justice Bailey, Cheltenham Beach Improvement Company v. Whitehead, 26 Ill. App. 609, where this question is fully considered, on a stipulation similar to the one contained in this trust deed. For the allowance of the §130 attorney’s fee the decree will he reversed and the cause remanded, with directions to the Circuit Court to enter a decree conforming to this opinion. JReversed and remanded..