Opinion ID: 884936
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 16 This Court reviews an order granting summary judgment under Rule 56, M.R.Civ.P., by utilizing the same criteria as the district court. See Bruner v. Yellowstone County (1995), 272 Mont. 261, 264, 900 P.2d 901, 903. Summary judgment is a remedy which should be granted when there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Rule 56(c), M.R.Civ.P. The procedure should never be substituted for trial if a material factual controversy exists. See Payne Realty v. First Sec. Bank (1993), 256 Mont. 19, 24, 844 P.2d 90, 93. ¶ 17 The party seeking summary judgment has the burden of demonstrating a complete absence of any genuine factual issues. See D'Agostino v. Swanson (1990), 240 Mont. 435, 442, 784 P.2d 919, 924. This Court looks to the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions on file, and affidavits to determine the existence or nonexistence of a genuine issue of material fact. See Rule 56(c), M.R.Civ.P.; Ulrigg v. Jones (1995), 274 Mont. 215, 218-19, 907 P.2d 937, 940. Furthermore, on review, all reasonable inferences that might be drawn from the offered evidence should be drawn in favor of the party opposing summary judgment. See Payne, 256 Mont. at 25, 844 P.2d at 93. But where the record discloses no genuine issue as to any material fact, then the burden shifts to the party opposing the motion to present evidence of a genuine issue of fact. See B.M. by Berger v. State (1985), 215 Mont. 175, 179, 698 P.2d 399, 401. The party opposing summary judgment, however, must present material and substantial evidence, rather than merely conclusory or speculative statements, to raise a genuine issue of material fact. See B.M. by Berger, 215 Mont. at 179, 698 P.2d at 401. ¶ 18 Therefore, in order to affirm summary judgment, we must first determine that no material facts remain in dispute regarding the vesting of ownership by Erkers in both Lot 26 and Parcel A under the terms of the August 21, 1990 contract, and that as a matter of law Kesters were required under its terms to deliver both deeds.