COLBERT M. CHISOLM AND ELIZABETH K. CHISOLM, HUSBAND AND WIFE, APPELLANTS,
v.
VIVIAN B. MAPP AND ROBERT MAPP, APPELLEES
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The Chisolms sought reformation of a 1968 deed after discovering a 15-foot strip of land had been omitted by mutual mistake. The trial court excluded testimony about the Mapps' intent as hearsay, but the appellate court reversed, holding the testimony admissible under the admissions exception to the hearsay rule.
The testimony was admissible under the admissions exception to the hearsay rule because the Mapps were claiming under the interest of Edward Mapp, making his declarations pertaining to the subject admissible against them. Any Dead Man's Statute objection was waived by the Mapps' failure to assert it at trial.
[1] A party claiming under or in the interest of another may introduce declarations of that other person pertaining to the subject of the claim as admissible evidence against…
[2] Failure to assert the Dead Man's Statute at trial constitutes a waiver of the objection.
Previewing 2 of 4 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“whenever a party claims under, or in the interest or right of another, the declarations of such other person pertaining to the subject of the claim are admissible against him”
The court's statement of the admissions exception to the hearsay rule, establishing that Merrell's testimony about Mapp's intent was admissible
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe Chisolms took title to property in 1974 from the Merrells, who had purchased two adjacent parcels from Edward and Vivian Mapp in 1965 and 1968. Th…
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ANSTEAD, Judge.
This is an appeal from a judgment denying a complaint for reformation of a deed filed by the appellants, Colbert M. Chisolm and Elizabeth K. Chisolm. We remand for reconsideration.
The Chisolms took title to a parcel of property in 1974 from Jack and Martha Merrell. The Merrells had received title to the property by conveyances in 1965 and 1968 from Edward and Vivian Mapp. The Chisolms’ complaint alleged that a 15-foot strip of land had been omitted from the 1968 deed of the Mapps to the Merrells by mutual mistake.
The Merrells purchased two adjacent parcels of property from the Mapps, one in 1965 and another in 1968. The mutual mistake claimed to have occurred in 1968 creates a 15-foot strip down the middle of the total property conveyed to the Merrells by the Mapps. Mr. Mapp died in 1969. The only witness as to the 1968 transaction was Mr. Merrell, and his testimony as to Mr. Mapp’s actions and statements indicated that the 15-foot strip was omitted by mutual mistake. The heirs of the deceased, Mrs. Mapp and her son, Robert, the appellees, were not aware of the 15-foot strip until receipt of a tax bill in 1972.
The trial court declined to consider Mr. Merrell’s testimony on the Mapps’ objection that it constituted hearsay. We believe the testimony was admissible against the Mapps under the admissions exception to the hearsay rule:
Thus, whenever a party claims under, or in the interest or right of another, the declarations of such other person pertaining to the subject of the claim are admissible against him. * * * 20 Am.Jur., Evidence, § 593.1
On appeal the Mapps also claim that Mer-rell’s testimony should be excluded under the Dead Man’s Statute.2 However, even if this was a proper objection, it has clearly been waived by the failure to assert the statute at trial. Accordingly the final judgment is hereby reversed; and the cause is remanded for reconsideration by the trial court, giving due consideration to the testimony of Jack Merrell.
CROSS, J., concurs.
LETTS, J., dissenting.
. Vineberg v. Hardison, 108 So. 2d 922, at 927 (Fla,3d DCA 1959). Also see Taylor v. Cory, 53 So. 2d 820 (Fla.1951); Daggett v. Willey, 6 Fla. 482 (1855); Ritter v. Brengle, 185 So. 2d 7 (Fla.2d DCA 1966).
. Section 90.05, Florida Statutes (1975).
LETTS, Judge,
dissenting:
Regardless of whether or not the various testimony by buyer or sellers’ agents should have been admitted at trial, we have, at best, predictable, self serving and conflicting testimony from both sides, each proclaiming what the dead grantor intended. As against this, there is the plain unambiguous and inescapable language of a warranty deed which excluded the fifteen feet in question. Were such fifteen feet a totally illogical retention by the grantors, I might be otherwise disposed; however, the strip in question provides a direct easement, from land still owned by the grantor, to a navigable lake.
This case is analogous to Rucks v. Ansin, 198 So. 2d 662 (Fla. 4th DCA 1967), where this very Court, in a similar situation, said:
A court, in exercising its discretion to grant equitable relief of reformation, must be satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated that there was a mutual mistake in the description of the property resulting in the deed not expressing the true intent of the parties. The proof required to justify such reformation must be clear and convincing and sufficient to overcome that strong presumption arising that a contract correctly expresses the intention of the parties. Sobel v. Lobel, Fla.App.1964, 168 So. 2d 195.
I fail to see clear and convincing proof of a mutual mistake in the case now before us.
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Fredericson v. Levinson, 495 So. 2d 842 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986)…Co., 404 So. 2d 802, 803-04 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981). Moreover, the point urged does not present a fundamental error. See Marks v. Delcastillo, 386 So. 2d 1259, 1267 (Fla. 3d DCA 1980), pet. for review denied, 397 So. 2d 778 (Fla.1981); Chisolm v. Mapp, 347 So. 2d 697, 698 (Fla. 3d DCA 1977); Ross v. Florida Sun Life Insurance Co., 124 So. 2d 892, 895-98 (Fla. 2d DCA 1960). Second, there was competent, substantial evidence adduced below which established that (a) the subject provision was in the lease at the ti…
Authorities Cited
- Doe on the Demise of Maria Daggett v. Chas. Willey, 6 Fla. 482 (Fla. 1855)
- Bryant v. State, 168 So. 2d 195 (Fla. 3d DCA 1964)
- Meyer Sobel v. Lobel, 168 So. 2d 195 (Fla. 3d DCA 1964)
- Docia Rucks v. Ansin, 198 So. 2d 662 (Fla. 4th DCA 1967)
- Leffie H. Ritter v. Brengle, 185 So. 2d 7 (Fla. 2d DCA 1966)
- Vineberg v. Hardison, 108 So. 2d 922 (Fla. 3d DCA 1959)