Opinion ID: 1954348
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Construction of a Pier

Text: Both Fouts and Beall argued at trial that the language in the easement grant was ambiguous. Fouts argued that the easement grant included the right to construct a pier, while Beall argued that the easement grant conveyed only the right of pedestrian access to the beach. The question of whether a particular instrument is ambiguous is a question of law for the trial court. Alonzo v. Sanford, 465 So.2d 1131 (Ala.Civ.App.1984). In this case, the trial court determined that the language in the easement grant was ambiguous, and we agree. If the language of an instrument is ambiguous in any respect, the surrounding circumstances and the construction placed on the language by the parties may be taken into consideration in determining the meaning of the instrument. City of Montgomery v. Maull, 344 So.2d 492 (Ala. 1977). Furthermore, the intent of the parties may be ascertained by parol evidence. Mayo v. Andress, 373 So.2d 620 (Ala.1979). When evidence of the intent of the parties is in dispute, it is a fact question to be determined by the trial court, and its findings will be presumed to be correct unless plainly erroneous or manifestly unjust. J.C. Jacobs Banking Co. v. Campbell, 406 So.2d 834 (Ala.1981), and Mayo v. Andress, supra . Fouts first argues that the testimony of Farrior, the grantor of the property, was inadmissible for purposes of determining his intent in conveying the easement. Fouts specifically argues that Farrior had never formed any intent with respect to the construction of a pier at the time he conveyed the easement. Rulings as to the admissibility of evidence rest largely within the discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of a gross abuse of discretion. Russellville Flower Craft v. Searcy, 452 So.2d 478 (Ala.1984). The trial court, finding that Farrior did form an intent at the time he conveyed the easement, admitted portions of Farrior's deposition testimony relating to his intent at that time. Farrior testified that he intended to convey only a pedestrian easement, which did not include the right to construct a pier. We cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion by admitting portions of Farrior's testimony. The only evidence presented with respect to the intent of the parties was that of Farrior. The trial court considered this evidence and found that Farrior intended to grant a beach access easement limited to pedestrian traffic only. We find that the trial court's construction of the easement is reasonable and does not produce an unjust result. See Alonzo v. Sanford, supra .