Opinion ID: 1678628
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: appeal # 15932lengkeek v. zwach

Text: This case was commenced in 1987 after this court's decision in Lengkeek I. Lengkeeks filed a complaint against Zwach seeking specific performance on the farmland contract or alternatively to obtain the installment payments due on that contract for 1984 through 1987. Lengkeeks also requested payment of the 1983 through 1986 real estate taxes. Zwach filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings or alternatively for summary judgment. After a hearing, the trial court granted Zwach's motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissed Lengkeeks' lawsuit. The basis of the trial court's decision was that this case involved the same parties and issues as the prior litigation and that Lengkeeks' action was barred by res judicata. Lengkeeks subsequently made a motion for an offer of proof, which was denied. The offer of proof was the assignment to Lengkeeks of all of Dirksens' right, title and interest in the farmland. Lengkeeks argue here that Zwach has never been sued for specific performance and that such action is thus not barred by res judicata. Lengkeeks also urge that the trial court erred in refusing their offer of proof of Dirksens' assignment of the Dirksen/Zwach contract to Lengkeeks. Lengkeeks assert that the assignment was relevant to the issue of whether Lengkeeks, as holder of all possible interests in the land, were the proper parties to seek specific performance from Zwach. Zwach argues that, as held by the trial court, Lengkeeks' attempt to sue for specific performance is barred by res judicata because the issue could and should have been raised and determined prior to the appeal in Lengkeek I. Much of the confusion on this issue surrounds Lengkeeks' allegation that the complaint to the trial court in Lengkeek I was never accepted into the record, and that the issue thus could not be res judicata. Zwach contends that the complaint was served and that the complaint, as amended, never altered the relief sought by Lengkeeks in the action. Zwach also asserts that Lengkeeks' claims against her are barred by the fact that she quitclaimed her interest in the property to Bank. Zwach argues that her quitclaim to Bank bars Lengkeeks from seeking specific performance against her because she then would hold the same position vis-a-vis Lengkeek as did Bank in Lengkeek I. Thirdly, Zwach argues that the trial court was correct in denying Lengkeeks' offer of proof. She argues that the offer of proof should have been made at the time of trial or hearing rather than eight days later as was done in this case.