Harris v Balk 1905
pg160 / sup 54
Facts
Harris NC $180 –> Balk NC $300 –> Epstein MD
$180 ——————————————–>
Harris goes to MD to visit
Epstein sues Harris in MD to recover part of Balks debt (this satisfied quasi in rem over Balks debt to Epstein
Harris was personally served the writ of attachment on the debt
MD court finds that Balk does indeed owe Epstein
Harris did not contest the attachment and pays Epstein $180
Balk then sues Harris in NC for the $180 he already gave to Epstein
Harris claims as his defense that he already paid Epstien
Trial court rules in favor of Balk, (saying Harris had to pay twice)
reson being that the situs origin of the debt was NC so that means MD has no jurisdiction
Holding
The supreme court found that the quasi in rem ruling in MD was valid Harris does not have to pay in the NC case
because “the obligation of a debtor to pay his debt clings to and accompanies him wherever he goes”
The NC court must give full faith in credit to the MD court and it forcing Harris to pay Balks debt to Epstein.
Notes
Epstein: Can we sue Balk in MD? Probably yes because his business has established minimum contacts and can be sued as long as it applies to the contacts created from the transactions
– In Personum? No, because he is not Pennoyer present
– Quasi In Rem? Yes, over the debt.