Curtis v. Fowler

Montgomery, J. This is a hill for partition. Both parties claim title through Friend Curtis, who, by will, devised a life-estate to his widow, Melissa Curtis, remainder to Sarah Curtis. Sarah Curtis died intestate before the [241] death of Melissa, and defendant Martin S. Fowler purchased of Melissa her life-estate, and also her. title as heir of Sarah Curtis. The complainant derives his title to an undivided interest as heir of Sarah Curtis. The court decreed partition, and defendant Martin S. Fowler appeals, claiming that he should have been allowed compensation for improvements made during the lifetime of Melissa, under whom he claims. It is contended that the impro.vements were made while he was in possession in good faith, claiming title to the whole. In 1886 complainant brought an action of ejectment against Martin S. Fowler, and recovered, the defendant being allowed compensation for improvements made after the termination of the life-estate, and being denied compensation for such improvements as preceded that date. Complainant contends that this adjudication is final, but the defendant insists that the determination in the ejectment suit is not binding, because the wife was not made a party. The answer of the defendant .Lucy A. Fowler states that the improvements have been made upon the land by Martin S. Fowler, and that he is the owner of the lands. He would be the one entitled to compensation, and he has not only had his day in court, but has accepted payment for such improvements as he ' recovered for. His right to improvements while occupying under his conveyance from the life tenant was considered in the case of Curtis v. Fowler, 66 Mich. 696, where it was said: “ As tenant in common and purchaser in possession under the deed from Melissa Curtis, conveying her life-estate, the defendant was not entitled to recover for improvements made upon the premises previous to the death of Melissa. As plaintiff admitted that defendant was entitled to compensation for improvements made after her death, we do not pass upon that question. But, where defendant was entitled to hold possession of the whole premises as life tenant, he cannot recover for compensa [242] tion for improvements made as such tenant. This is because the life tenant is bound to keep the premises in repair, and is not permitted to commit waste; and any improvement such tenant makes of a permanent character inures to the benefit of the remainder-man.” Martin S. Fowler having had his rights adjudicated in the ejectment suit, the fact that Mrs. Fowler was not a party to that proceeding does not render the proceeding wholly void as against him. Bemis v. Conley, 95 Mich. 617. The decree below will be affirmed, with costs. The other Justices concurred.