Court Opinion

ID: 9790570
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 01:55:04.312121+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:30.260263
License: Public Domain

ZIMMERMAN, Justice
(dissenting):
I cannot join the majority. In reversing the trial court's finding that plaintiff has *1003not carried her burden of showing the release to be invalid, the Court has exceeded its proper function. I, too, have sympathy for plaintiff. However, where there is conflicting evidence and the trial court has resolved it against a party, it is not for us to redetermine the matter unless there is no substantial record evidence to support the findings. Scharf v. BMG Corp., 700 P.2d 1068, 1070 (Utah 1985); Sharpe v. American Medical Systems, Inc., 671 P.2d 185, 187 (Utah 1983); Kohler v. Garden City, 639 P.2d 162, 165 (Utah 1981); Thurman v. Byram, 626 P.2d 447, 448-49 (Utah 1981); Knight v. Leigh, 619 P.2d 1385, 1387 (Utah 1980).
Here, the release was ambiguous and, therefore, parol evidence was properly considered in determining the intent of the parties. Cf. Armijo v. Foundation Reserve Insurance Co., 75 N.M. 592, 595, 408 P.2d 750, 752 (1965). Ambiguity, however, does not equate with invalidity. After demonstrating ambiguity, the burden was still on plaintiff to show by clear and convincing evidence that the release was invalid. Maxfield v. Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, 8 Utah 2d 183, 185, 330 P.2d 1018, 1019 (1958). There is ample record evidence to support the trial court’s finding that plaintiff did not carry this burden. Therefore, I would affirm.