Fritz v. Fritz

This case presents questions whether a transfer of land between family members operated as a contract or a gift, whether evidence of oral terms of that transfer was admissible, and whether a valid forfeiture of the transferee's rights occurred under Iowa Code chapter 656 (2007). Because we agree in part and disagree in part with the district court's legal analysis, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

In 2002, Betty and Richard Fritz acquired an eighty-acre tract of farmland known as Roseland. Roseland had been owned previously by Richard's parents.…