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Biakanja v. Irving

Supreme Court of California
Jan 17, 1958
49 Cal.2d 647 (Cal. 1958)

Summary

holding that a decedent's intended beneficiary had a special relationship with the notary public who had prepared a defective will

Summary of this case from Elsayed v. Maserati N. Am., Inc.

Opinion

Docket No. S.F. 19757.

January 17, 1958.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of the City and County of San Francisco. Clarence W. Morris, Judge. Affirmed.

Lloyd J. Cosgrove and Herbert Chamberlin for Appellant.

Lenz, Jarvis, Miller Decker, Martin J. Jarvis and Joseph E. Isaacs for Respondent.


Plaintiff's brother, John Maroevich, died, leaving a will which devised and bequeathed all of his property to plaintiff. The will, which was prepared by defendant, a notary public, was denied probate for lack of sufficient attestation. Plaintiff, by intestate succession, received only one-eighth of the estate, and she recovered a judgment against defendant for the difference between the amount which she would have received had the will been valid and the amount distributed to her.

Defendant, who is not an attorney, had for several years written letters and prepared income tax returns for Maroevich. The will was typed in defendant's office and "subscribed and sworn to" by Maroevich in the presence of defendant, who affixed his signature and notarial seal to the instrument. Sometime later Maroevich obtained the signatures of two witnesses to the will, neither of whom was present when Maroevich signed it. These witnesses did not sign in the presence of each other, and Maroevich did not acknowledge his signature in their presence.

An attorney who represented Maroevich's stepson in the probate proceedings testified that he had a telephone conversation with defendant shortly after Maroevich's death, in which defendant said he prepared the will and notarized it. According to the attorney, defendant, in discussing how the will was witnessed, "admonished me to the effect that I was a young lawyer, I'd better go back and study my law books some more, that anybody knew a will which bore a notarial seal was a valid will, didn't have to be witnessed by any witnesses."

The court found that defendant agreed and undertook to prepare a valid will and that it was invalid because defendant negligently failed to have it properly attested. The findings are supported by the evidence.

The principal question is whether defendant was under a duty to exercise due care to protect plaintiff from injury and was liable for damage caused plaintiff by his negligence even though they were not in privity of contract. In Buckley v. Gray (1895), 110 Cal. 339 [42 P. 900, 52 Am.St.Rep. 88, 31 A.L.R. 862], it was held that a person who was named as a beneficiary under a will could not recover damages from an attorney who negligently drafted and directed the execution of the will with the result that the intended beneficiary was deprived of substantial benefits. The court based its decision on the ground that the attorney owed no duty to the beneficiary because there was no privity of contract between them. Mickel v. Murphy, 147 Cal.App.2d 718 [ 305 P.2d 993], relying on Buckley v. Gray, supra, held that a notary public who prepared a will was not liable to the beneficiary for failing to have it properly executed. When Buckley v. Gray, supra, was decided in 1895, it was generally accepted that, with the few exceptions noted in the opinion in that case, there was no liability for negligence committed in the performance of a contract in the absence of privity. Since that time the rule has been greatly liberalized, and the courts have permitted a plaintiff not in privity to recover damages in many situations for the negligent performance of a contract.

Liability has been imposed, in the absence of privity, upon suppliers of goods and services which, if negligently made or rendered, are "reasonably certain to place life and limb in peril." (See Kalash v. Los Angeles Ladder Co., 1 Cal.2d 229, 231 [ 34 P.2d 481] [manufacturer of ladders]; Hale v. Depaoli, 33 Cal.2d 228, 231 [ 201 P.2d 1, 13 A.L.R.2d 183] [building contractor]; Dahms v. General Elevator Co., 214 Cal. 733, 738-742 [ 7 P.2d 1013] [elevator maintenance company]; MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co., 217 N.Y. 382 [ 111 N.E. 1050, Ann.Cas. 1916C 440, L.R.A. 1916F 696] [automobile manufacturer]; Prosser, Torts (2d ed. 1955), §§ 84-85, p. 497 et seq.) There is also authority for the imposition of liability where there is no privity and where the only foreseeable risk is of damage to tangible property. ( Kolberg v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 93 Cal.App. 609, 613 [ 269 P. 975]; Brown v. Bigelow, 325 Mass. 4 [ 88 N.E.2d 542, 543]; Ellis v. Lindmark, 177 Minn. 390 [ 225 N.W. 395, 396-397]; Dunn v. Ralston Purina Co., 38 Tenn. App. 229 [ 272 S.W.2d 479, 481 et seq.]; Cohan v. Associated Fur Farms, 261 Wis. 584 [ 53 N.W.2d 788, 791-792]; see Prosser, supra, § 84, pp. 501-502.)

Recovery has been allowed in some cases to a third party not in privity where the only risk of harm created by the negligent performance of a contract was to an intangible interest. For example, in the leading case of Glanzer v. Shepard, 233 N.Y. 236 [ 135 N.E. 275, 23 A.L.R. 1425], a purchaser of beans overpaid the vendor in reliance on an erroneous certificate negligently furnished by a public weigher employed by the vendor. In holding the weigher liable to the purchaser, the court stated, in an opinion by Justice Cardozo, that the purchaser's use of the certificate was, to the weigher's knowledge, the "end and aim" of the transaction. (See also Doyle v. Chatham Phenix Nat. Bank, 253 N.Y. 369 [ 171 N.E. 574, 71 A.L.R. 1405]; Dickel v. Nashville Abstract Co., 89 Tenn. 431 [14 S.W. 896, 24 Am.St.Rep. 616]; Anderson v. Spriestersbach, 69 Wn. 393 [125 P. 166, 42 L.R.A.N.S. 176]; Rest., Torts, § 552, comment f.) In another group of cases the addressee of a telegram has been allowed to recover from the telegraph company for loss of the opportunity of a job because of the company's failure to deliver a message. ( Western Union Tel. Co. v. Bowman, 141 Ala. 175 [37 So. 493]; McPherson v. Western Union Tel. Co., 189 Mich. 471 [155 N.W. 557, 559]; cf. Western Union Tel. Co. v. McKibben, 114 Ind. 511 [14 N.E. 894, 897-898]; Barker v. Western Union Tel. Co., 134 Wis. 147 [114 N.W. 439, 440-441, 14 L.R.A.N.S. 533, 126 Am.St.Rep. 1017].)

Imposition of liability for injuries to intangible interests has been refused, however, in the absence of privity where any potential advantage to the plaintiff from the performance of the contract was only a collateral consideration of the transaction or where the injury to the particular person bringing suit was not foreseeable ( Ultramares Corp. v. Touche, 255 N.Y. 170 [ 174 N.E. 441, 74 A.L.R. 1139]; Phoenix Title Trust Co. v. Continental Oil Co., 43 Ariz. 219 [ 29 P.2d 1065, 1069-1071]; Ohmart v. Citizens' Sav. Trust Co., 82 Ind. App. 219 [ 145 N.E. 577]; cf. MacKown v. Illinois Publishing Printing Co., 289 Ill. App. 59 [ 6 N.E.2d 526].)

[1] The determination whether in a specific case the defendant will be held liable to a third person not in privity is a matter of policy and involves the balancing of various factors, among which are the extent to which the transaction was intended to affect the plaintiff, the foreseeability of harm to him, the degree of certainty that the plaintiff suffered injury, the closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered, the moral blame attached to the defendant's conduct, and the policy of preventing future harm. ( Cf. Prosser, Torts (2d ed. 1955), §§ 36, 88, 107, pp. 168, 172, 544-545, 747; 2 Harper and James, Torts (1956), § 18.6, p. 1052.) [2a] Here, the "end and aim" of the transaction was to provide for the passing of Maroevich's estate to plaintiff. (See Glanzer v. Shepard, 233 N.Y. 236 [ 135 N.E. 275, 23 A.L.R. 1425].) Defendant must have been aware from the terms of the will itself that, if faulty solemnization caused the will to be invalid, plaintiff would suffer the very loss which occurred. As Maroevich died without revoking his will, plaintiff, but for defendant's negligence, would have received all of the Maroevich estate, and the fact that she received only one-eighth of the estate was directly caused by defendant's conduct.

[3] Defendant undertook to provide for the formal disposition of Maroevich's estate by drafting and supervising the execution of a will. This was an important transaction requiring specialized skill, and defendant clearly was not qualified to undertake it. His conduct was not only negligent but was also highly improper. He engaged in the unauthorized practice of the law (Bus. Prof. Code, § 6125; cf. People v. Merchants Protective Corp., 189 Cal. 531, 535 [ 209 P. 363]; People v. Sipper, 61 Cal.App.2d Supp. 844, 848 [142 P.2d 960]; Grand Rapids Bar Ass'n v. Denkema, 299 Mich. 56 [ 287 N.W. 377, 380]; State ex rel. Wyoming State Bar v. Hardy, 61 Wyo. 172 [ 156 P.2d 309, 313]), which is a misdemeanor in violation of section 6126 of the Business and Professions Code. Such conduct should be discouraged and not protected by immunity from civil liability, as would be the case if plaintiff, the only person who suffered a loss, were denied a right of action.

Section 6125 of the Business and Professions Code provides: "No person shall practice law in this State unless he is an active member of the State Bar."
Section 6126 of the Business and Professions Code provides: "Any person advertising himself as practicing or entitled to practice law or otherwise practicing law, after he has been disbarred or while suspended from membership in the State Bar, or who is not an active member of the State Bar, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

[2b] We have concluded that plaintiff should be allowed recovery despite the absence of privity, and the cases of Buckley v. Gray, 110 Cal. 339 [42 P. 900, 52 Am.St.Rep. 88, 31 A.L.R. 862], and Mickel v. Murphy, 147 Cal.App.2d 718 [ 305 P.2d 993], are disapproved insofar as they are in conflict with this decision.

The judgment is affirmed.

Shenk, J., Carter, J., Traynor, J., Schauer, J., Spence, J., and McComb, J., concurred.


Summaries of

Biakanja v. Irving

Supreme Court of California
Jan 17, 1958
49 Cal.2d 647 (Cal. 1958)

holding that a decedent's intended beneficiary had a special relationship with the notary public who had prepared a defective will

Summary of this case from Elsayed v. Maserati N. Am., Inc.

holding lack of privity not dispositive

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holding defendant notary public liable to will beneficiary for negligent supervision of will's attestation

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holding whether a defendant is liable to third person not in privity involves balancing of various factors, including the extent to which the transaction was intended to affect plaintiff, foreseeability of harm to him, the degree of certainty that plaintiff suffered injury, closeness of connection between the defendant's conduct and injury suffered, moral blame attached to the defendant's conduct, and a policy of preventing future harm

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finding lenders may incur a legal duty of care where they allegedly agreed to consider modification of the borrower's loans

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finding that the duty to comply with professional may also run to persons not party to the relevant professional services contract, and listing factors courts should consider when determining the scope of the obligation

Summary of this case from Land O'Lakes, Inc. v. Dairyamerica, Inc.

adopting a "balance of factors" test

Summary of this case from Petrillo v. Bachenberg

rejecting privity requirement for duty to non-client

Summary of this case from Oxendine v. Overturf

In Biakanja, a non-attorney notary prepared a will for the plaintiff's brother, which left the testator's entire estate to the plaintiff.

Summary of this case from Templeton v. Catlin Specialty Ins. Co.

In Biakanja, however, the California Supreme Court established that, in limited circumstances, a professional may owe a legal duty to a third party in the absence of privity of contract between them.

Summary of this case from Templeton v. Catlin Specialty Ins. Co.

In Biakanja v. Irving, 49 Cal.2d 647, 320 P.2d 16 (1958), the California Supreme Court undertook to create a checklist of factors to consider in assessing the existence of a legal duty of one party to another in the absence of privity of contract between them.

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In Biakanja, the defendant notary public had prepared the will of plaintiff's brother which left the entire estate to the plaintiff.

Summary of this case from Glenn K. Jackson Inc. v. Roe

In Biakanja, the California Supreme Court held that the intended beneficiary of a failed testamentary gift could recover from a notary public who negligently prepared the will.

Summary of this case from In re Jan. 2021 Short Squeeze Trading Litig.

In Biakanja, the California Supreme Court held that the intended beneficiary of a failed testamentary gift could recover from a notary public who negligently prepared the will.

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considering "the closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered"

Summary of this case from Newman v. Bank of N.Y. Mellon

considering "the moral blame attached to the defendant's conduct"

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declining to impose a duty of care on a loan servicer where "the borrowers' negligence claims [were] based on allegations of delays in the processing of their loan modification applications"

Summary of this case from Jose v. Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.

In Biakanja v. Irving, 49 Cal.2d 647 (1958), the California Supreme Court explained that whether a duty arises depends on: (1) the extent to which the transaction was intended to affect the plaintiff, (2) the foreseeability of harm to the plaintiff, (3) the degree of certainty that the plaintiff suffered injury, (4) the closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered, (5) the moral blame attached to the defendant's conduct, and (6) the policy of preventing future harm.

Summary of this case from McCarthy v. Servis One, Inc.

establishing the factors above, referred to as the "Biakanja factors"

Summary of this case from Powell v. Wells Fargo Home Mortg.

establishing the factors above, referred to as the "Biakanja factors"

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articulating these factors for the first time in determining "whether in a specific case the defendant will be held liable to a third person not in privity"

Summary of this case from Verse Two Properties, LLC v. Medplast Fremont, Inc.

instructing courts to look to “the degree of certainty that the plaintiff suffered injury” and “the closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered”

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In Biakanja, the California Supreme Court listed six non-exclusive factors relevant to a determination as to duty of care: (1) "extent to which the transaction was intended to affect the plaintiff"; (2) "foreseeability of harm to him"; (3) "degree of certainty that the plaintiff suffered injury"; (4) closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury suffered"; (5) "moral blame attached to the defendant's conduct"; and (6) "policy of preventing future harm.

Summary of this case from Boessenecker v. JPMorgan Chase Bank

noting that factor to consider in evaluating whether a duty is owed is closeness of the connection between the defendant's conduct and the injury alleged

Summary of this case from Durand v. US Bank National Association

In Biakanja v. Irving, supra, 49 Cal.2d 647, the California Supreme Court held that a defendant's negligent performance of a contractual obligation resulting in damage to the property or economic interests of a person not in privity could support recovery if the defendant was under a duty to protect those interests.

Summary of this case from Penny Newman Grain Co. v. Midwest Paint Services
Case details for

Biakanja v. Irving

Case Details

Full title:VINKA BIAKANJA, Respondent, v. THOMAS J. IRVING, Appellant

Court:Supreme Court of California

Date published: Jan 17, 1958

Citations

49 Cal.2d 647 (Cal. 1958)
320 P.2d 16

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