Estate of Thomas v. Sheffield

511 N.W.2d 841, 1994 S.D. LEXIS 17, 1994 WL 36893
CourtSouth Dakota Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 9, 1994
Docket18247
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 511 N.W.2d 841 (Estate of Thomas v. Sheffield) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering South Dakota Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Estate of Thomas v. Sheffield, 511 N.W.2d 841, 1994 S.D. LEXIS 17, 1994 WL 36893 (S.D. 1994).

Opinions

SABERS, Justice.

This appeal arises from a dispute over an agreement concerning real property distributed in a divorce action. We affirm.

FACTS

Dorothy Sheffield Thomas (Thomas) and Keith Sheffield (Sheffield) were divorced on August 29, 1984. Under the Final Decree of Divorce, Sheffield managed the farm real estate which he and Thomas held as tenants in common. The Final Decree also provided that, after four years, either party could move to sell the farm real estate. Sheffield moved for an Order directing a Sheriffs Sale of the real estate on November 11, 1988, [842]*842which was granted. It was sold to Thomas on December 29, 1988.

Disputes arose concerning the accountings which Sheffield was required to provide as well as the distribution of the proceeds from the sale of the real estate. A hearing was scheduled for April 24, 1990, to settle these matters. The hearing was canceled however, based upon representations by the attorneys that the parties reached an agreement.

On April 24, 1990, Sheffield and Thomas signed the Agreement which is the subject of this dispute. As a result of the Agreement, Sheffield received partial payment from Thomas of $27,727.07 from the proceeds of the sale of the real estate. Believing that the Agreement was in place, Thomas arranged for financing and to carry out the terms of the Agreement. However, on June 21, 1990, the date set for closing, Sheffield informed Thomas that he did not plan to go forward with the closing. Sheffield has not returned or offered to return the $27,727.07.

Thomas filed a complaint against Sheffield on June 28, 1990, seeking specific performance of the Agreement and damages. Thomas passed away on July 20, 1990, and her Estate was substituted as Plaintiff. Sheffield filed a Motion to Set Aside the Settlement Agreement under SDCL 15-6-60(b)(1) and (6). The civil action and the divorce action were consolidated and on May 10, 1991, an Order approving the Agreement was entered. Sheffield’s Motion to Set Aside the Settlement Agreement was denied and Partial Summary Judgment for Specific Performance was granted.

Sheffield appealed. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal because the Order Approving Settlement Agreement and Partial Summary Judgment for Specific Performance were not final orders from which appeals as a matter of right may be taken. On May 13, 1992, a hearing was held in circuit court on damages. The court entered its Judgment and Order on damages for Thomas on December 2, 1992. Sheffield appeals.

1. Whether the trial court erred in refusing to set aside the Agreement and in entering its Order approving the Agreement.

Sheffield argues that the Agreement is unenforceable because he sought to have the Agreement set aside before it had been submitted to, and approved by, the court.1 In support of his position, Sheffield quotes 73 Am.Jur.2d Stipulations § 2 (1974). Sheffield failed, however, to quote the passage in its entirety and deleted relevant language.

It has been said that unless it is clear from the record that the parties assented, there is no stipulation, and it is provided in many jurisdictions, by rule of court or by statute, that a private agreement or consent between the parties or their attorneys, in respect to the proceedings in a cause, will not be enforced by the court unless it is evidenced by a writing subscribed by the party against whom it is alleged or made, and filed by the clerk or entered upon the minutes of the court.... Thus, it is said that the principal reason for denying effect to informal stipulations is the uncertain character of such stipulations, which is capable of producing controversies and consequent impediments to the business of the court. (Emphasis added.)

Unlike the agreements to which 73 Am. Jur.2d § 2 applies, this Agreement was not of an “uncertain character.” Rather, it is “clear from the record that the parties assented” to the Agreement. Sheffield was represented by an attorney when he signed the Agreement. While he appears to have alleged in his complaint mistake and undue influence, he failed to support these allegations at the motions hearing and has not raised or supported them in his brief on appeal. Sheffield did not file a Reply Brief. Cf. Pekarek v. Wilking, 380 N.W.2d 161 (Minn.Ct.App.1986) (discussing appellant’s claim that the stipulation should be vacated because she did not understand its terms, [843]*843she was improperly encouraged by the trial court to sign, and her attorney was incompetent).

In Pekarek v. Wilking, an ex-wife moved to vacate a stipulation entered into between herself and her ex-husband. In refusing to vacate the stipulation, the Minnesota Court of Appeals stated:

Courts favor stipulations, particularly in dissolution cases, as a means of simplifying and expediting litigation. Stipulations are treated as binding contracts. They cannot be repudiated or withdrawn by one party without the consent of the other party except by leave of the court for cause shown. Courts may set aside stipulations for fraud, duress or mistake. Upon appeal a trial court’s determination whether or not to vacate a stipulation will not be disturbed in the absence of an abuse of discretion. For a stipulation to stand, a “meeting of minds on the essential terms of the agreement” must have occurred. If the agreement was improvidently made, it may be vacated.

380 N.W.2d at 163 (citations omitted). We agree. Sheffield cannot “repudiate the Agreement” and “revoke his acquiescence” absent cause or the consent of Thomas. Sheffield has not shown fraud, duress or mistake. It appears he simply “changed his mind.” In fact, Sheffield accepted $27,727.07 in partial payment from Thomas, demonstrating his acquiescence in the Agreement. Pekarek, 380 N.W.2d at 163-64.

Sheffield signed the Agreement voluntarily and with the assistance of counsel. His consent is evidenced by his signature and acceptance of partial payment. See generally Malcolm v. Malcolm, 365 N.W.2d 863, 865 (S.D.1985) (“The construction given by the parties themselves to the contract as shown by their acts, if reasonable, will be accorded great weight and usually will be adopted by the court”). While it was within the trial court’s discretion to reject the Agreement, the court approved the Agreement and entered an Order Approving Settlement Agreement. See Radigan v. Radigan, 465 N.W.2d 483, 484-85 (S.D.1991). Sheffield failed to demonstrate that the trial court abused its discretion. Id. (Stating that an agreement between parties on property, alimony, and child support is one relevant factor for the court’s consideration, but such an agreement does not control the court’s exercise of its discretion in light of all relevant factors).

2. Whether Thomas was entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law.

The standards under which a summary judgment is reviewed are well established.

“In reviewing a grant or a denial of summary judgment under SDCL 15

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Estate of Thomas v. Sheffield
511 N.W.2d 841 (South Dakota Supreme Court, 1994)

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Bluebook (online)
511 N.W.2d 841, 1994 S.D. LEXIS 17, 1994 WL 36893, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/estate-of-thomas-v-sheffield-sd-1994.