Thompson v. Growers Finance Corp.

1. “An intentional and fraudulent insertion of additional property in a chattel mortgage by the mortgagee renders the instrument void.” Bedgood-Howell Co. v. Moore, 123 Ga. 336 (51 S. E. 420). Under section 4296 of the Civil Code (1910), an intentional, material alteration by a party claiming a benefit under a written contract, with intent to defraud the other party, does not ipso facto render the instrument void, but it may be made so “at the option of the other party.” The effect, however, as to the entire contract, is the same, and the offending party, in an action at law against the…