Thorn Springs Ranch, Inc. v. Smith

KIDWELL, Justice.

This is an appeal from a decree of specific performance resulting from an oral agreement for the conveyance of land. We affirm the district court’s decision.

I

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Clarence Smith owned a 600-aere ranch, which he transferred in 1976 to his five children: Rosemary Ray, Bernadine Tabor, Susan Slayton, Dan Smith, and Deryl Smith. The siblings did not get along. From 1976 to 1990, the ranch was operated as a partnership. The district court found that there had been discussions between the siblings and their father that each of the children would be…