Balam v. Rouleau

Citations

• 52 Wash. 389
• 100 P. 833
• 1909 Wash. LEXIS 1126

Syllabus

<p>Cancellation of Instruments — Deeds—Undue Influence — Evidence — Sufficiency. There is no evidence that undue influence, induced a conveyance of real and personal property, reserving a life estate in the land, in consideration of an agreement for support and pin money during the life of the grantors, where it appears that one of the grantors was sick and 70 or 80 years old, and executed the agreement after long consultation with three of his lifelong friends, prominent business men, who had no interest in the matter, and the same was carefully explained to his wife, a half-breed Indian, who was not coerced in any way and fully understood the matter, if capable of doing so.</p> <p>Same — Consideration—Adequacy. A conveyance by an old couple of a farm of the value of about $2,000 or $3,000, and $700 worth of farm implements and personal property, to the husband of a niece, who was their sole beneficiary in a will, is not void for inadequacy of consideration, where a life estate in the land was reserved, and the grantee agreed to work the place and share the profits in the chickens, board and lodge the grantors and the survivor for life, and pay a certain small monthly sum; especially where three prominent business men, friends of the grantors, advised the arrangement.</p>