Francis v. Betsuie

OPINION

This appeal arises from the Kayenta Family Court’s August 10, 2009 dismissal of Appellants’ Petition for Quiet Title to a Livestock Grazing Permit No. 8-487 on the basis of lack of subject matter jurisdiction. We reverse the dismissal and remand with instructions to the family court.

BACKGROUND

This family dispute spans 25 years and concerns the distribution of grazing permit no. 8-487, which was held by decedent Martha Francis (a widow) solely in her name. Decedent made efforts to transfer the permit during her lifetime. In 1986, decedent met in her home with all her children…