Pankratz v. Hoff

KONENKAMP, Justice.

[¶ 1.] In this land contract dispute, the circuit court found ambiguity in the contracts and admitted parol evidence to determine the parties’ intent. On appeal, we conclude that the contracts are enforceable as written. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

Background

[¶ 2.] Doug Hoff, his wife Marlene, and his son Brian Hoff owned 9,334.71 acres in Perkins County, South Dakota, making up the “Hoff Ranch.” Of the total acreage, Doug and Marlene (the Hoffs) owned 8,200 acres, with the rest owned by Doug and Brian together, or Brian alone. After forty years of…