CHAPTER X. HOMESTEADS. Land to the value of twenty-five hundred dollars may be home stead, if duly registered as such at a time when the owner was free from debt. CHAPTER XI. DEPOSITIONS. For matters in civil suits, evidence abroad is generally taken by commissioners appointed by a judge of the Supreme Court. In other matters, affidavits can be taken before any minister, ambassador, consul, vice-consul, or consular agent, and if there is no one representing these functionaries, then before a notary public duly certified to be such by the Governor or Secretary of State. CHAPTER XII. JUDICIAL RECORDS-ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Judicial records of foreign States can be proved by examined copies, sealed with the seal of the State if relating to State documents, or the seal of the Court if relating to judicial records. Acknowledgments of deeds can be taken before a notary public, duly certified to be such by the British consul. CHAPTER XIII. LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS. Joint stock companies can limit the liability of their shareholders to the amount subscribed for by each, by registering under the statute. The law of private partnerships now allows a person to invest money in a business concern and receive a share of the profits, without being liable as a partner. CHAPTER XIV. MARRIED WOMEN Can invest the money earned by any trade or occupation, and the same is free from the debts, control or engagements of the husband; and landed property, held before marriage or acquired subsequent thereto, can be dealt with by a married woman as if she were a femme sole. CHAPTER XV. MORTGAGES. Chattel mortgages must be registered within twenty-one days after execution, and an affidavit filed of the day and date of execution, in order to protect the property from execution creditors of the grantor. A mortgage unregistered is good between the parties, and if the mortgagee take the property into his own custody an execution creditor cannot seize it. Furniture, goods, merchandise, etc., can be mortgaged. Farming stock and crops are not subject to the Act. MORTGAGES OF LAND. A mortgagee of land is a specialty creditor; he can sue his debtor for the amount due, sell the mortgage property, or foreclose the mortgage; if he sells the mortgage property, it is doubtful whether his remedy against the mortgagor has not gone, in case the sale fails to realize the whole amount due. CHAPTER XVI. INTEREST AND USURY. All The legal rate of interest is twelve per cent. per annum. judgments carry this rate; so do accounts, after notice that interest will be charged; but any higher rate of interest is perfectly legal, as there are no usury laws in force. |