Opinion ID: 1793423
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Surface Rights

Text: Harold contends that [t]he statements allegedly made by Harold Rigsby, to the effect that Brett could `do what he wanted to do'  `that the property would all be his [Brett's] someday anyway', did not induce action on the part of Brett Rigsby. Further, Harold contends that the testimony concerning disagreements over the improvements made by Brett does not reflect that Harold made any statement to Brett to induce him to make improvements. Harold maintains that Brett did not suffer detriment in his actions; rather, Harold contends that Brett enjoyed the benefits of his improvements. Specifically, Harold states that with regard to Brett's clearing the land, Brett received money from the sale of timber, and that a primary purpose of clearing the land was to construct ponds and clear fields to attract wild game. Since the trial court was in a superior position to judge the credibility of witnesses, we cannot say that it was clearly erroneous for the trial court, as the fact finder, to determine that it was reasonable for Brett to make improvements on the property in reliance of Harold's statement that the property would be Brett's someday. See Van Dyke, supra . Harold further argues that the trial court's finding that the surface rights in the property should be divided equally results in a substantial windfall to Brett and, thus, the finding is clearly erroneous. To find unjust enrichment, a party must have received something of value, to which he was not entitled and which he must restore. Guaranty Nat.'l Ins. Co. v. Denver Roller, Inc., 313 Ark. 128, 854 S.W.2d 312 (1993). We have stated that one who is free from fault cannot be held to be unjustly enriched merely because one has chosen to exercise a legal or contractual right. Id. In his brief, Harold contends that he should have received at least 62% of the proceeds of the sale of the surface rights. Harold paid $19,500 for the property in 1971. In its order equally dividing the proceeds of the sale of the property, the trial court allowed Howard a credit of $12,606.25 for payments Harold made prior to any assistance from Brett. Therefore, Harold contends that his contribution, made prior to the 1984 loan, should be viewed as 62%. At the April 30, 2002, hearing, it was established that the property actually sold for $225,000. According to Harold, he should be appropriately credited with 62% of the [$225,000] purchase price. Harold offers no citation to authority for the proposition that he should be appropriately credited with 62% of the purchase price. We will not consider arguments that are unsupported by convincing argument or sufficient citation to legal authority. City of Benton v. Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Comm'n, 345 Ark. 249, 45 S.W.3d 805 (2001). We hold that the trial court's determination that Brett is entitled to an undivided one-half interest in the surface rights of the property is not clearly erroneous.