Court Opinion

ID: 9682093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 08:05:16.812938+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:37.434780
License: Public Domain

KINKEADE, Justice,
concurring.
I concur with the majority’s holding, but do not agree with its reasoning. Ambiguity in an agreement is a question of law for the court. Gulf & Basco Co. v. Buchanan, 707 S.W.2d 655, 657 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1986, writ ref’d n.r.e.). Where neither party has alleged that the contract is ambiguous, the construction of the contract is a question of law for the court. Praeger v. Wilson, 721 S.W.2d 597, 600 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 1986, writ ref’d n.r.e.). If after applying established rules of interpretation to the agreement, it remains reasonably susceptible to more than one meaning, it is ambiguous and a fact issue is created. Gulf & Basco Co., 707 S.W.2d at 657; Walker v. Horine, 695 S.W.2d 572, 577 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 1985, no writ). The courts should give effect to the true intention of the parties. To achieve this objective, the courts examine and consider the entire writing, seeking as best they can to harmonize and give effect to all the provisions of an agreement so that none will be rendered meaningless. Gulf & Basco Co., 707 S.W.2d at 657, quoting, Universal C.I.T. Credit Corp. v. Daniel, 150 Tex. 513, 518, 243 S.W.2d 154, 157-58 (1951).
In order to comply with section 26.10(a), (b)(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the writing must be a written memorandum which is complete within itself in every material detail, containing all the essential elements of the agreement. Metro Siding Distributors, Inc. v. Master Shield, Inc., 717 S.W.2d 455, 457 (Tex.App.—Fort Worth 1986, writ ref’d n.r.e.), citing, Cohen v. McCutchin, 565 S.W.2d 230, 232 (Tex.1978). In the present case, Walker’s signature appears on the lease agreement with the designation “Guarantor” following it. This notation indicates “an undertaking by one person to be answerable for the payment of some debt or the performance of some contract or duty by another person, who himself remains liable.” Cook v. Citizens National Bank, 538 S.W.2d 460, 462 (Tex.App.—Beaumont 1976, no writ) (emphasis in original). A guaranty agreement is to be strictly construed and *430may not be extended beyond its precise terms by construction or implication. Robinson v. Surety Insurance Co., 688 S.W.2d 705, 708 (Tex.App.—Ft. Worth 1985, no writ).
I would hold that the precise terms or the essential elements of the guaranty agreement in this case cannot be determined by the bare signature. For that reason I would hold that the guaranty agreement is ambiguous and a fact question exists concerning Walker’s liability. See Walker, 695 S.W.2d at 577. The trial court’s summary judgment should be reversed and the cause remanded for new trial.