Supreme Court of the United States
Dexter v. Hall
January 18, 187382 U.S. 9
Summary
The Supreme Court affirmed the Circuit Court’s judgment, holding that a power of attorney executed by a lunatic is absolutely void. It also rejected the defendants’ claims of error regarding expert testimony on sanity and the statute‑of‑limitations presumption of possession. The decision rests on the principle that a person lacking mental capacity cannot create a binding instrument.
Holding
- Whether a power of attorney executed by a lunatic is void or merely voidable.. A power of attorney executed by a lunatic is absolutely void.
- Whether the trial court erred in allowing a medical expert to opine on the sanity of the grantor based on the facts of the case.. The assignment of error concerning the expert’s testimony cannot be sustained; the trial court’s ruling was correct.
- Whether the plaintiffs failed to satisfy the statutory presumption of actual possession under California’s limitations statutes.. The lower court correctly refused to direct a verdict for the defendants; the presumption of possession stands absent proof of adverse possession.
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