Court Opinion

ID: 7737852
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-30 19:56:01.231487+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:27:28.004359
License: Public Domain

I dissent because the deed, on its face, is not ambiguous. The granting clause states: "[W]e, William Howard Martin and his wife, Marjorie I. Martin (herein referred to as grantors) do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto. . . ." This language is plain and certain. No language limiting the estate being conveyed is elsewhere contained in the deed.
 "It is, of course, true that where a deed is of doubtful meaning, or where the language of a deed is ambiguous, the intent of the parties to the deed as to what property is conveyed may be ascertained by reference to facts existing when the instrument was made, to which the parties may be presumed to have had reference. Lietz v. Pfuehler, 283 Ala. 282, 215 So.2d 723
(1968).
 "However, if the language is plain and certain, acts and declarations of the parties cannot be resorted to, to aid construction. Id.; Hall v. Long, 199 Ala. 97, 74 So. 56 (1916)."
Financial Inv. Corp. v. Tukabatchee Area Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, 353 So.2d 1389, 1391 (Ala. 1977).