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Sitzer v. Lang

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Feb 15, 1978
243 S.E.2d 95 (Ga. Ct. App. 1978)

Opinion

55117.

ARGUED JANUARY 11, 1978.

DECIDED FEBRUARY 15, 1978. REHEARING DENIED MARCH 7, 1978.

Action on account. DeKalb State Court. Before Judge Smith.

Zusmann, Sikes, Pritchard Cohen, Dennis M. Hall, for appellant.

Sherman C. Fraser, for appellee.


This is a suit on a guaranty agreement. Plaintiff's complaint as assignee of United California Bank alleged that F. J. Lang, Inc., d/b/a Atlanta Tyre Co. and d/b/a Eldorado Tire Company, Inc., owes plaintiff $57,696.90 plus interest.

Also alleged is the execution of a guaranty agreement by defendant, Frank Lang, which unconditionally guaranteed payments of certain amounts F. J. Lang, Inc. might owe plaintiff. Exhibits attached to and referred to in the complaint show that credit was extended to F. J. Lang, Inc., d/b/a Atlanta Tyre Co. and that the guaranty agreement executed by defendant guaranteed payment of the debts of Eldorado Tire Company, Inc.

Defendant's motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim was granted, and plaintiff appeals. Held:

The general rule is that an attack upon a complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted should not be sustained unless the averments in the complaint disclose with certainty that plaintiff would not be entitled to relief under any state of facts that could be shown in support of the claim. Paris v. C. S. Nat. Bank, 141 Ga. App. 165, 167 (1) ( 233 S.E.2d 433). But here plaintiff relies upon the written guaranty agreement, a copy of which is attached to the complaint as an exhibit. "Where a party relies on a written instrument as the basis of an action, and attaches a copy of the instrument as an exhibit, the facts shown in the exhibit will prevail over the allegations of the party in the pleading. Vandiver v. Endicott, 215 Ga. 250 ( 109 S.E.2d 775); Scenic Heights Development Corp. v. Harry, 219 Ga. 253 (1) ( 132 S.E.2d 711); Columbia Valley Recreation Center v. Massie, 223 Ga. 151 (1) ( 154 S.E.2d 215); Lansky v. Brannon, 225 Ga. 378 ( 169 S.E.2d 125)." H R Block, Inc. v. Asher, 231 Ga. 780, 781 ( 204 S.E.2d 99).

The exhibits show that credit was extended to F. J. Lang, Inc., d/b/a Atlanta Tyre Company. The defendant agreed to indemnify for credit extended to Eldorado Tire Co., Inc. Defendant did not agree to indemnify for credit extended to F. J. Lang, Inc. or Atlanta Tyre Company. The rights of a guarantor are stricti juris. Poole v. Corker, 15 Ga. App. 622, 623 (3) ( 83 S.E. 1101). See also Peara v. Atlanta Newspapers, Inc., 120 Ga. App. 163 ( 169 S.E.2d 670).

Judgment affirmed. Quillian, P. J., and Webb, J., concur.


ARGUED JANUARY 11, 1978 — DECIDED FEBRUARY 15, 1978 — REHEARING DENIED MARCH 7, 1978.


Summaries of

Sitzer v. Lang

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Feb 15, 1978
243 S.E.2d 95 (Ga. Ct. App. 1978)
Case details for

Sitzer v. Lang

Case Details

Full title:SITZER v. LANG

Court:Court of Appeals of Georgia

Date published: Feb 15, 1978

Citations

243 S.E.2d 95 (Ga. Ct. App. 1978)
243 S.E.2d 95

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