Thompson v. Estate of H. H. Coffield

SUMMERS, Justice:

This is a lawsuit between the Seller and Buyers of land over the right to royalty proceeds from unrecorded coal mining leases. The parties had earlier exchanged a deed. Certain language in the deed supported Buyers’ position. The trial court refused to consider Seller’s offer of parol evidence which was at variance with the language in the deed. The court then denied Seller’s counterclaim to reform the deed, instead quieting title to the disputed mineral interest in favor of the Buyers. Seller appeals. We reverse and remand.

Here are the basic facts. The estate of H.H.…