In Re the Marriage of Zale

OPINION

EHRLICH, J. *

¶ 1 We granted review to answer the question whether a court may consider evidence extrinsic to the record to resolve the meaning of a judgment. We hold that the parol evidence rule does not apply to a judgment. For this and other reasons discussed below, the trial court and the court of appeals erred in concluding that the decree of dissolution established a fixed-term award. We thus remand this case for further proceedings with regard to the award and the payment of spousal maintenance.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶2 In 1986, ten years after Bonnie and Mike Zale were…