Opinion ID: 883680
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the District Court err in basing its decision upon an unrequested private viewing of the property in question?

Text: In May of 1979, Lynn McDonald (McDonald) purchased a 4.592 acre parcel of real property located approximately ten miles west of Livingston, Montana, from Gerald R. Stafford, Frances R. Stafford, Alfred Mack Stiff, and Vivian Stiff. Due to the construction of I-90, the property was subject to a highway right of way easement granted in 1975 to the State of Montana for a Dozer Road. McDonald did not view the property before she bought it, nor was she represented by counsel during the sale. McDonald claims that she had no actual notice that any landowner claimed any right under the 1975 Dozer Document or under any other agreement or document. She contends that when she purchased the property, she believed the Dozer Road to be abandoned and terminated at the eastern boundary of the property. Since purchasing the land, she was informed by the seller that the seller had given the Todds permission to cross the property. Also since purchasing the land, McDonald herself has given various parties permission to cross over the property in the vicinity of the disputed easement. Landowners William Bridger and Mary Bridger (the Bridgers) filed a complaint dated December 12, 1990, when their use of the easement was denied. The complaint also involved disputes relating to the use of railroad crossings and breach of warranty claims against the seller of the land which the Bridgers purchased near the property. The action was bifurcated and the present action deals exclusively with the contested easement across McDonald's land. Subsequent to the filing of the Bridger complaint, the court granted leave for the following landowners to intervene in the action: Roger C. Todd, Judith Todd, Jean Todd, Robert Evans, Glen Hargrove, Betty Rae Hargrove, Michael Wold, Lorenia Wold, Earl Hargrove (referred to along with plaintiffs and Jackson Lake Jr. as landowners). The following parties were named as defendants in the action: Jackson L. Lake, Jr., Alice Lake, the personal representative of the Estate of John Ludwell Lake, deceased, the State of Montana, Burlington Northern Railroad, Montana Rail Link. Jackson Lake, Jr. also filed a cross-claim against McDonald. On February 25, 1994, the court heard arguments on the motions for partial summary judgment filed by plaintiffs, plaintiffs by intervention, and defendants Jackson L. Lake, Jr., Alice Lake, and the personal representative of John Ludwell Lake, deceased. The court entered an order on May 6, 1994, granting summary judgment to all parties against McDonald. In its May 6, 1994 and July 8, 1994 orders, the District Court determined that the State of Montana held an access easement across McDonald's property for the benefit of the public as well as the adjoining landowners. The court determined that McDonald had both constructive and actual notice of an easement and could not now object to its use. McDonald appeals the court's judgments.