Clancey v. Alme

NewMAN¿ J. The question presented is not difficult of solution. All the principles involved in its solution have beeu settled by the decisions of this court. The right of the owner to have his homestead exempt from “liability in any form” (E-. S. sec. 2983) for his debts is superior to the equity of a creditor to have it applied to the payment of his debt. However it may have been formerly and in the absence of a statute declaring his right, it is now the settled policy of the law to prefer the homestead right as against the rights of creditors. Hanson v. Edgar, 34 Wis. 653; Smith v. Wait, 39 Wis. 512; Rozek v. Redzinski, 87 Wis. 525. In furtherance of this benevolent purpose, the proceeds of the sale of the homestead are made exempt from liability for the debts of the owner “ while held with the intention to procure another homestead therewith.” R. S. sec. 2983. It has been held, in harmony with the liberal spirit of the exemption laws, that where a homestead which is incumbered with other property by a common mortgage is applied by the owner, along with th'e other property, as one parcel, to the payment of the mortgage debt, a surplus remaining after the payment of the debt will be deemed proceeds of a sale of the homestead, and exempt from liability for the debts of the- owner of the homestead. This was in a case where the value of the property not included in the homestead was less than the amount of the mortgage debt, so that it would not alone have sold for enough to realize the debt. Binzel v. Grogan, 67 Wis. 147; Hoppe v. Goldberg, 82 Wis. 660. [231] This principle is entirely applicable to tbe case of a surplus arising from a foreclosure sale of property similarly •situated. Here tbe lands not included in tbe homestead were worth much less than the mortgage debt. Tbe mortgage debt was upward of $3,900. Tbe value of the lands not included in tbe homestead was about $1,600. Tbe sale ■was for $4,600. The respondents desire to use the surplus moneys to procure another homestead. By the Cowrt.— The order of the circuit court is affirmed.