Opinion
No. 19,309.
Filed March 20, 1963. Rehearing denied April 8, 1963.
1. APPEAL — Appointment of Guardian — Death of Ward — Moot Question — Dismissal. — Death of ward following judgment for the appointment of a guardian, presents only a moot question on appeal and will be dismissed by the Appellate Court. p. 430.
2. APPEAL — Accepting Benefits of Judgment — Dismissal. — Appeal will be dismissed as to appellant who accepted payment on a judgment rendered in his favor since a party accepting the benefits of a judgment recognizes the validity of the judgment and waives any further right on appeal. Section 2-3201, Burns' 1946 Replacement. p. 430.
From the Tipton Circuit Court, Horace C. Holmes, Judge.
Appellees, Rollie Conaway, and others, move to dismiss this appeal taken by appellants, Oliver Conaway and Herbert Salsberry.
Appeal dismissed. By the First Division.
Floyd E. Harper, of Tipton, Albert W. Ewbank, of Indianapolis, and Salyer Mattingly of Anderson, for appellants. Troy Hutto, Hutto Regnier, of Tipton, Christian, Waltz, White Klotz and Ralph Waltz, of Noblesville, for appellees.
This matter is now before the court on the appellees' motion to dismiss as to the appellant Oliver Conaway and the appellees' supplemental motion to dismiss as to the appellant Herbert Salsbery.
It appears from the verified motion to dismiss filed with reference to the appellant Oliver Conaway that the original judgment of the court was for appointment of a guardian for 1. the person and estate of the appellant Oliver Conaway; that the appellant Oliver Conaway died on the 31st day of January, 1960. It is well settled in this state that the death of a ward following a judgment for the appointment of a guardian, presents only a moot question and will be dismissed by this court. Powell v. Powell (1939), 107 Ind. App. 396, 22 N.E.2d 896; Bell v. McCain et al. (1934), 98 Ind. App. 68, 188 N.E. 378; Flanagan, Wiltrout and Hamilton's, Indiana Trial and Appellate Practice, § 2129; and cases therein cited.
It appears from the verified supplemental motion to dismiss as to the appellant Herbert Salsbery that judgment was rendered in favor of Herbert Salsbery in the amount of Three thousand seven hundred and fifty-two dollars and eighty-nine cents ($3,752.89) for which amount the appellant Herbert Salsbery accepted in payment a cashiers check issued by the Farmers Loan and Trust Company of Tipton, Indiana.
In the recent case, City of Indianapolis, etc. v. Bates et al. (1963), 134 Ind. App. 343, 188 N.E.2d 114, handed down by this court on the 25th day of February, 1963, a settlement 2. of a judgment was involved and certain of the parties to the appeal drew down the money paid into the Clerk of the Shelby Circuit Court. It is well settled law in this state that a party accepting the benefits of a judgment below recognizes the validity of the judgment and waives any further right on appeal. Falanagan, Wiltrout and Hamilton's, Indiana Trial and Appellate Practice, § 2128, citing with approval Wyncoop, Administrator, et al. v. Laughner et al. (1939), 106 Ind. App. 457, 19 N.E.2d 486, and also § 2-3201, Burns' 1946 Replacement, which provides in part:
"The party obtaining judgment should not take an appeal after receiving any money paid or collected thereon."
For the reasons herein stated the appeal as to both appellants, Oliver Conaway and Herbert Salsbery, is dismissed.
Appeal dismissed.
Cooper, C.J., and Clements and Ryan, JJ., Concur.
NOTE. — Reported in 188 N.E.2d 846.