Opinion ID: 901986
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Implied or Constructive Trust

Text: [¶ 32.] SDCL 55-1-11 provides: The enumeration in §§ 55-1-7 to 55-1-10, inclusive, of cases wherein an implied trust arises does not exclude or prevent the arising of an implied trust in other cases nor prevent a court of equity from establishing and declaring an implied, resulting, or constructive trust in other cases and instances pursuant to the custom and practice of such courts. `An implied trust arises from the facts and circumstances of a transaction.' Noll v. Brende, 318 N.W.2d 319, 320 (S.D.1982) (quoting Knock v. Knock, 80 S.D. 159, 120 N.W.2d 572, 576 (1963)). A trust by operation of law must be established by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence. Id. (quoting Johnson v. Johnson, 300 N.W.2d 865, 869 (S.D.1980)). [¶ 33.] Other than its argument that Herrick's affidavit was improperly excluded, DFA offers no evidence to support its contention that equity demands the imposition of an implied or constructive trust. Without evidence in the record to support the claim of an implied or constructive trust, the trial court did not err in entering summary judgment in favor of Scott on this and all other equitable claims advanced by DFA. There were no genuine issues of material fact, and Scott was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. [¶ 34.] Affirmed. [¶ 35.] KONENKAMP, ZINTER, MEIERHENRY, and SEVERSON, Justices, concur.