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Lacava v. Smith

Supreme Court of Georgia
Apr 8, 1981
276 S.E.2d 612 (Ga. 1981)

Opinion

37268.

DECIDED APRIL 8, 1981.

Injunction, etc. Habersham Superior Court. Before Judge Gunter.

Butterworth Verdery, James N. Butterworth, for appellants.

Stephen D. Frankum, for appellees.


This appeal involves a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim in a suit to set aside several conveyances. The trial court granted the motion and the plaintiffs, the Lacavas, appeal. We affirm.

The pleadings and exhibits attached thereto aver that the Smiths sold some land to the Lacavas and also agreed in a separate contract termed a "Right of First Refusal" not to sell or convey their remaining adjoining property without first offering it to the Lacavas. "This agreement is subject, however, to the following: First Parties [Smiths] expressly reserve the right to deed and convey the subject property to either or all of their children. All parties hereto agree that these rights are superior to those granted to Second Parties [Lacavas]." The Lacavas' attorney drafted this agreement.

The Smiths conveyed some of their remaining property to their daughter, Stephanie Chester, who in turn conveyed a portion of it to Phillip W. Hunter. The Lacavas seek to have these deeds set aside under the terms of the contract. We agree with the trial court that as a matter of law the Lacavas have no claim under their "Right of Refusal" contract. Judgment affirmed. All the Justices concur, except Hill, P. J., who concurs in the judgment only.

After the appeal was docketed in this court, the Lacavas amended their complaint, adding a fraud count, in the trial court. This amendment is too late. Hagan v. Robert Co. Assoc., 222 Ga. 469 ( 150 S.E.2d 663) (1966); Duvall v. Cox, 217 Ga. 488 ( 123 S.E.2d 546) (1962).


DECIDED APRIL 8, 1981.


Summaries of

Lacava v. Smith

Supreme Court of Georgia
Apr 8, 1981
276 S.E.2d 612 (Ga. 1981)
Case details for

Lacava v. Smith

Case Details

Full title:LACAVA et al. v. SMITH et al

Court:Supreme Court of Georgia

Date published: Apr 8, 1981

Citations

276 S.E.2d 612 (Ga. 1981)
276 S.E.2d 612