Opinion ID: 2135346
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether the trial court correctly dismissed the quiet title action.

Text: Department argues that it is entitled to ownership, possession, and quiet title to the Lincoln County properties. The trial court held, however, that there was no evidence to support a quiet title action and dismissed Count II of Department's complaint to quiet title. SDCL 21-41-1 provides in part that: An action may be maintained by any person or persons having or claiming to have an estate or interest in or lien or encumbrance upon any real property, whether in or out of possession thereof and whether such property is vacant or occupied, against any person or persons claiming an estate or interest in or lien or encumbrance upon the same or any part thereof for the purpose of determining such adverse interest, estate, lien, or encumbrance[.] Contrary to the allegations of Karras, all Defendants named in the title to the action were served with a summons and complaint substantially in the form indicated in SDCL 21-41-7. Plaintiff's Exhibit # 4, an Ownership and Encumbrance Report Update dated August 5, 1991, indicates that a Notice of Lis Pendens was filed with the Lincoln County Register of Deeds on June 20, 1991. While the court may grant an order for the service of the summons upon defendants who are unknown, it does not appear under SDCL 21-41-9 that publication to all unknown defendants is mandatory. The action would be binding, however, only on those actually served. Our review of the applicable statutes and the evidence presented indicates that the trial court improperly dismissed Department's quiet title action as to Karras, Dion, and Donald. We reverse and remand on this issue. In view of our holding on these issues, it is unnecessary to reach the other issues raised by the parties or we have determined them to be without merit. Accordingly, appeal # 18306 is reversed and appeal # 18373 is affirmed. MILLER, C.J., and WUEST and AMUNDSON, JJ., concur. HENDERSON, J., concurs specially in part and concurs in result in part.