Stichter v. Zuidema

The plaintiffs, Carol June Stichter, David Lee Zuidema and Jack D. Jones, as administrator of the estate of his mother, Diane Jones, filed an action in which they claimed third-party beneficiary status under a valid antenuptial agreement (agreement). The plaintiffs’ father, Elmer Zuidema (Elmer), was a party to the agreement. The circuit court of Whiteside County found the agreement did not confer third-party beneficiary status on the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs raise three issues on appeal: (1) whether the trial court properly considered extrinsic evidence when it construed the agreement; (2)…