Roland v. Messersmith

This appeal stems from a dispute over the ownership of a parcel of farm property in Little Orleans, Maryland (“the Property”), which was once owned in undivided fee simple absolute by Laura Roland. After a bench trial, the Circuit Court for Allegany County determined that the effect of two valid deeds relating to the Property was to transfer a 3/5 interest in the Property to Arlin Messersmith, Jr., appellee, as a tenant in common with two of Mrs. Roland’s children. The court then granted Messersmith’s petition to partition the Property according to those interests.

Erie Roland (“Roland”),…