Court Opinion

ID: 9621027
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:50:39.289703+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:09.381215
License: Public Domain

STEVE McKEITHEN, Chief Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I concur in the resolution of issues two and three, but respectfully dissent to the overruling of issue one.
In their first issue, the appellants contend a material fact issue precludes summary judgment on the breach of contract claim. The majority is correct when they state: “As the movants for summary judgment, the appellees must establish as a matter of law that Rocky Savage released his breach of contract claim when the parties cancelled the contract.” I disagree with the majority’s reliance on a rescission case as authority for denying relief in a *238suit for breach of contract where the breach occurred prior to cancellation. Absent default on the part of the buyer, the contract is silent regarding the parties’ rights upon cancellation of the contract for deed. While it would have been necessary to cancel the contract for deed in order for the Doyles to convey clear title to Hope, it was not necessary for Savage to release a breach of contract claim against the Doyles in order for the Doyles to implement the transaction with Hope. I conclude that the quitclaim deed is ambiguous, as it does not clearly state the grantor’s intention to surrender any right other than his claim to title in the real property, and that no other intent is evident from the context of the transaction.
In his affidavit in response to the motion for summary judgment, Rocky Savage avers he executed the quitclaim deed because the property was being conveyed into Elena’s name and she was not a party to the contract for deed. He further states that the quitclaim deed was signed for purposes of clearing the title only, and he had no intention of releasing any claims against the Doyles when he signed the quitclaim deed. I conclude that a fact issue on the parties’ intent precludes summary judgment on the breach of contract claim. I would sustain issue one and reverse the summary judgment on all claims.