Opinions

Disciplinary Board v. Buresh 2007 ND 8
Docket No.: 20060230
Filing Date: 1/16/2007
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Disbarment is appropriate when a lawyer knowingly converts client property and causes injury or potential injury to a client; when a lawyer knowingly deceives a client with the intent to benefit the lawyer and causes serious or potentially serious injury to a client; and when a lawyer engages in serious conduct a necessary element of which includes misrepresentation, extortion, misappropriation, or theft.
Under the North Dakota Standards Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, disbarment is allowed for one instance of stealing from a client or lying to a client for the lawyer's benefit.
A lawyer's conversion of a client's funds to his own use is impossible to condone and is one of the least excusable acts of misconduct for which a lawyer can be disciplined.
A lawyer may be disciplined for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer. A criminal conviction is not a condition precedent to a discipline proceeding when the facts themselves warrant discipline.

State v. Moore 2007 ND 7
Docket No.: 20060131
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Theft
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An appellate court will not reverse a finding of good cause for a grant of additional time unless the trial court abused its discretion. Factors considered when deciding whether good cause exists to grant additional time are the length of delay, the reason for delay, defendant's assertion of his right, and prejudice to the defendant.
Section 29-33-03, N.D.C.C., provides an exception to the requirement that an order be written and signed before it is final. It allows the trial court to rule on a request for additional time in open court.

State v. Stensaker (consolidated w/20050454) 2007 ND 6
Docket No.: 20050453
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: On appeal, jury instructions are fully reviewable.
Jury instructions are reviewed as a whole and must correctly and adequately inform the jury of the applicable law even though part of the instructions when standing alone may be insufficient or misleading.
The intentional gathering and preparation of ingredients, whose purchase, possession, or transportation is regulated by state law, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine provides sufficient evidence for criminal attempt to manufacture methamphetamine.

Donlin v. Donlin 2007 ND 5
Docket No.: 20060128
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce - Property
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: Property division need not be equal to be equitable, but a substantial disparity must be explained. A long-term marriage supports an equal distribution of property.
Property division and spousal support are interrelated and intertwined and often must be considered together. In making a spousal support determination, the district court must consider the relevant factors under the Ruff-Fischer guidelines.

State v. Goebel 2007 ND 4
Docket No.: 20060147
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Prosecutions for the sexual abuse of child victims are subject to a particular statute of limitations and tolling provision contained in the North Dakota Century Code.
If the victim is under the age of fifteen at the time of the sexual abuse, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the victim reaches the age of fifteen, which extends the initial seven-year limitation period until the victim reaches the age of twenty-two.
If the victim does not report the sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities within the seven-year period, but reports the offense sometime later, the limitation period runs for three years from the date the offense is reported.

Lucier v. Lucier 2007 ND 3
Docket No.: 20060060
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A spousal support obligation may be modified if the district court finds there is a material change in circumstances after examining the reasons for the changes in income and the extent to which the changes were contemplated.
A contemplated change in circumstances is not a change that justifies modifying spousal support.
When modifying a spousal support award, the district court must adequately explain its rationale in determining the new support amount.

State v. Zahn (CONSOLIDATED W/20060046 & 20060047) 2007 ND 2
Docket No.: 20060045
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A party charged with violating a protection order cannot challenge the validity of the protection order without first presenting the argument to the court issuing the order.
A court order must be obeyed until stayed, modified, or reversed by orderly review.
To convict a defendant of violating a protection order, the State need only prove it served a protection order on the defendant and the defendant's conduct violated the order.

Interest of J.H. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2007 ND 1
Docket No.: 20060373
Filing Date: 1/11/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author:

Highlight: Mental health orders summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(7).

Interest of R.F. (CONFIDENTIAL) 2006 ND 258
Docket No.: 20060362
Filing Date: 12/20/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Mental health appeal summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Lawrence v. Delkamp 2006 ND 257
Docket No.: 20060136
Filing Date: 12/18/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A person may waive the rights and privileges to which that person is legally entitled, whether secured by contract, conferred by statute, or guaranteed by the constitution.
Waiver occurs when a person voluntarily and intentionally relinquishes a known right or privilege.

State v. Wardner 2006 ND 256
Docket No.: 20060014
Filing Date: 12/18/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Sexual Offense
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: A presentence investigation must be conducted before sentencing for gross sexual imposition, but an additional presentence investigation is not required for imposition of a previously suspended sentence after revocation of probation.
Conditions of probation are interpreted as mandatory.

Griggs v. Fisher, et al. 2006 ND 255
Docket No.: 20060180
Filing Date: 12/13/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Contracts
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Before addressing the issue of sufficiency of the evidence to support a jury verdict, a losing party must move for judgment as a matter of law under N.D.R.Civ.P. 50 or for a new trial under N.D.R.Civ.P. 59.

Aga v. Workforce Safety and Insurance, et al. 2006 ND 254
Docket No.: 20060185
Filing Date: 12/13/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: Claimants reapplying for disability benefits have the burden of showing a significant change in their compensable medical condition and an actual wage loss caused by the significant change in their condition.

Interest of R.S. (Confidential) 2006 ND 253
Docket No.: 20060318
Filing Date: 12/13/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: For mental health commitment, the law allows a court to act on warnings and does not require actual violence or expressed threats.
A mentally ill person, convinced that snipers are out to get him, who, armed with a gun, walks directly into a police station without stopping at the front reception desk may pose a serious risk of harm to others.

Interest of C.L. (Confidential) 2006 ND 252
Docket No.: 20060339
Filing Date: 12/13/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Mental health continuing treatment order summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Disciplinary Board v. Stensland 2006 ND 251
Docket No.: 20060299
Filing Date: 12/12/2006
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Lawyer suspension ordered.

Petition of Edison 2006 ND 250
Docket No.: 20060091
Filing Date: 12/5/2006
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: An attorney may be disciplined for knowingly serving an answer on behalf of a deceased client.
A knowing act does not require an evil intent or bad purpose, and an act may be done knowingly if it was done in the exercise of the performer's free will and not under coercion.

Disciplinary Board v. Overboe 2006 ND 249
Docket No.: 20060301
Filing Date: 12/4/2006
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Interim suspension of lawyer ordered.

State v. Johnson 2006 ND 248
Docket No.: 20060133
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A police officer's belief that many people violate the thirty-day temporary registration law does not give rise to reasonable suspicion that an automobile is not lawfully registered.

Dunnuck v. Dunnuck 2006 ND 247
Docket No.: 20060126
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: An order denying a motion to modify child support that is intended to be the final order of the court is appealable.
The party requesting a change in child support must show a material change of circumstances if the motion to amend is brought within one year of the entry of the order sought to be amended.
A district court's decision not to modify a child support obligation because there has been no material change in circumstances is a finding of fact that will not be reversed unless it is clearly erroneous.

State v. Jacob 2006 ND 246
Docket No.: 20060103
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Homicide
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: For negligent homicide, a person must act negligently, causing death. For leaving the scene involving death, a person need only negligently leave an accident scene and fail to render aid where a death occurred.
It is legally and factually possible for a jury to find a person not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of negligent homicide and guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Harshberger v. Harshberger 2006 ND 245
Docket No.: 20060039
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act ("UCCJEA") establishes the criteria for deciding which state's courts have subject matter jurisdiction to make a child custody decisions involving interstate custody disputes, and subject matter jurisdiction under the UCCJEA cannot be conferred by agreement, consent, or waiver.
The UCCJEA applies to paternity actions only when custody or visitation is an issue.
A subsequent motion in a pending paternity action that implicates the jurisdictional requirements of the UCCJEA does not relate back to the beginning of the original paternity action that did not raise custody or visitation as an issue.
A judgment entered without subject matter jurisdiction is void.

Ibach v. Zacher 2006 ND 244
Docket No.: 20060129
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: For child visitation, a district court's finding of no material change in circumstances may be reversed as a matter of law on appeal when the custodial parent and child have moved a significant distance and the non-custodial parent has developed a medical condition requiring treatment that conflicts with the existing visitation schedule.

Allard v. Johnson 2006 ND 243
Docket No.: 20060080
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: Whether a presumption applies is a question of law, which is fully reviewable on appeal.
A durable power of attorney agreement creates a confidential relationship and fiduciary duties owed to the beneficiary by the attorney-in-fact.
Under a durable power of attorney agreement, the attorney-in-fact must act with the highest good faith toward the beneficiary and may not obtain any advantage over the beneficiary.
All transactions between an attorney-in-fact and a beneficiary by which the attorney-in-fact obtains any advantage is presumed to be entered into without sufficient consideration and under undue influence.

State v. Myers 2006 ND 242
Docket No.: 20050368
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A fundamental principle of constitutional law is that a prosecutor may not comment on a defendant's failure to testify in a criminal case.
When there is an adjournment of proceedings in a jury trial, the district court must admonish a jury that it is their duty not to converse among themselves nor with anyone else on any subject connected with the trial, nor to form or express any opinion thereon, until the case is finally submitted to them.

State v. Oliver (Consolidated w/20060083, 20060084 & 20060085) 2006 ND 241
Docket No.: 20060082
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Drugs/Contraband
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: A faded temporary registration certificate with no visible printing is indicative of a temporary certificate that is more than thirty days old and provides an objective fact giving an officer a right to stop a vehicle to check its validity.

Eifert v. Eifert 2006 ND 240
Docket No.: 20060069
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: In deciding custody, a district court may consider the child's interaction and interrelationships with a party's extended family and others who may significantly affect the child's best interests.

State v. Doohen 2006 ND 239
Docket No.: 20060089
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: A warrantless search is unreasonable unless it falls within a recognized exception to the warrant requirement.
Under the automobile exception, law enforcement may search for illegal contraband without a warrant when probable cause exists.
A police officer may draw inferences based on his own experience in deciding whether probable cause exists.
Probable cause demands not that an officer be sure or certain but only that the facts available to a reasonably cautious individual would warrant a belief that certain items may be contraband or useful as evidence of a crime.

Glasser v. Glasser 2006 ND 238
Docket No.: 20060159
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Divorce
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An order dismissing an order to show cause why a party should not be held in contempt of court is appealable.
Interpretation of a judgment is a question of law, and an unambiguous judgment may not be modified, enlarged, restricted, or diminished. The question whether a judgment is ambiguous is a question of law. There is an ambiguity when language can be reasonably construed as having at least two alternative meanings.
If the language used in a judgment is ambiguous, there is room for construction, but if the language is unambiguous and plain, neither construction nor interpretation is allowed, and the effect of the language must be based on the language's literal meaning.

Genter v. Workforce Safety & Ins. Fund, et al. 2006 ND 237
Docket No.: 20060145
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: Workforce Safety and Insurance must determine whether a medical assessment team is required in a particular case based on the nature of the claimed injury.
If a medical assessment team is required to evaluate an injury, Workforce Safety and Insurance has the discretion to determine the composition of the team on a case-by-case basis.

Klein v. Larson 2006 ND 236
Docket No.: 20060062
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Child Support
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: In an initial custody decision, the trial court must award custody to the parent who will better promote the best interests and welfare of the child.
A parent's numerous prior criminal offenses, although not involving crimes of moral turpitude, are relevant evidence of the parent's moral fitness.

Silbernagel, et al. v. Silbernagel, et al. 2006 ND 235
Docket No.: 20060201
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Summary judgment in a quiet title action is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6).

State v. Morrell 2006 ND 234
Docket No.: 20060078
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A criminal judgment entered upon a conditional guilty plea to the offense of carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(4).

Otto v. State (Cross-Ref. w/20030368) 2006 ND 233
Docket No.: 20060093
Filing Date: 11/28/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Denial of post-conviction relief is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(2).

Wishek v. Kaseman 2006 ND 232
Docket No.: 20060192
Filing Date: 11/15/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Violation of City Ordinance
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: A judgment granting summary judgment is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(6).

Trinity Hospitals v. Mattson, et al. 2006 ND 231
Docket No.: 20060121
Filing Date: 11/14/2006
Case Type: Original Proceeding - Civil - Writ of Supervision
Author: Crothers, Daniel John

Highlight: The Supreme Court's authority to issue a supervisory writ is a discretionary power exercised rarely, cautiously, and only in extraordinary cases to rectify errors and to prevent injustice when no adequate alternative remedy exists.
A contributing employer is immune from suit under the exclusive remedy provisions of workers' compensation law, and Workforce Safety and Insurance's determination that two affiliated corporations are encompassed under the same premium is a salient factor in determining a contributing employer.

Disciplinary Board v. Aakre 2006 ND 230
Docket No.: 20060260
Filing Date: 11/14/2006
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Suspension of lawyer ordered.

Tverberg v. Workforce Safety & Insurance, et al. 2006 ND 229
Docket No.: 20060064
Filing Date: 11/13/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Sandstrom, Dale

Highlight: The rehabilitation provisions of workers compensation law are intended to return injured workers to substantial gainful employment with a minium of retraining as soon as possible after a work injury, but those provisions do not require complete rehabilitation to preinjury earning capacity.
Section 65-05.1-01(6), N.D.C.C., applies if a vocational consultant determines that none of the priority options under N.D.C.C. 65-05.1-01(4) are viable and will not return the employee to the lesser of two-thirds of the average weekly wage or ninety percent of the employee's preinjury earnings.
Partial disability benefits are to be awarded based on a calculation for retained earnings capacity, and WSI may use a statewide job pool to calculate the employee's retained earnings capacity.

Disciplinary Board v. Bullis 2006 ND 228
Docket No.: 20060132
Filing Date: 11/13/2006
Case Type: Discipline - Attorney - Original Proceeding
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Attorney suspended from practice of law for 90 days, ordered to complete six hours of non-self-study continuing legal education courses on conflicts of interest within the next two years in addition to the mandatory CLE requirements, and ordered to pay costs and expenses of proceedings.
When a lawyer has conflicting responsibilities as the lawyer for various clients, those loyalties owed to the client are impaired.
An attorney representing multiple clients cannot by subjective or secret analysis eliminate one as a current client and decide that he is only representing another current client on a particular transaction.
Business transactions between an attorney and client are fraught with pitfalls and traps, and an attorney, with his superior knowledge and education, engages in business transactions with a client at the attorney's peril and is held to the highest standards.

State v. Buchholz (Consol. w/20060061) (Cross-ref. w/20040118) 2006 ND 227
Docket No.: 20060044
Filing Date: 11/7/2007
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Other
Author: VandeWalle, Gerald

Highlight: A mistake of law defense generally is not an available defense for strict liability offenses.
A sentence may be illegal if it is contrary to statute, fails to comply with a promise of a plea bargain, or is inconsistent with the oral pronouncement of the sentence.

Unterseher v. Ziegler 2006 ND 226
Docket No.: 20060181
Filing Date: 11/7/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Department of Transportation
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Suspension of driving privileges is summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(5).

State v. Just 2006 ND 225
Docket No.: 20060146
Filing Date: 11/7/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Misdemeanor
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: An information or complaint must contain a plain, concise, and definite written statement of the essential facts and elements of the offense.
The omission of statutory language from an information or complaint may be harmless if the defendant was not substantially prejudiced and the document is sufficiently specific to enable the defendant to prepare a defense.

Riemers v. City of Grand Forks 2006 ND 224
Docket No.: 20060057
Filing Date: 11/7/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Other
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A party opposing summary judgment may not merely rely upon the pleadings or unsupported, conclusory allegations.
A party waives an issue by not providing supporting arguments, reasoning, or citations to relevant legal authority.
An Attorney General's opinion is "highly persuasive" if it is consistent with the district court's independent analysis of the issues presented.
Under the open records law, a public entity need not disclose a record that is not in its possession or custody at the time of the request.
The "criminal intelligence and investigative information exception," which exempts active criminal investigation material from disclosure under the open records law, is temporary in nature and terminates upon the completion of the criminal prosecution.

Sambursky v. State (Consol. w/20050331-20050335) 2006 ND 223
Docket No.: 20050330
Filing Date: 11/7/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: A district court may summarily dismiss an application for post-conviction relief if there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
If the petitioner raises an issue of material fact in resisting summary dismissal of an application for post-conviction relief, the petitioner is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on the matter.
In a post-conviction relief proceeding alleging the ineffective assistance of counsel with respect to a guilty plea, counsel is ineffective if a claimant can show that counsel's performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, the petitioner would not have pleaded guilty and would have insisted on going to trial.

State v. Davis 2006 ND 222
Docket No.: 20060033
Filing Date: 11/7/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Criminal - Misc. Felony
Author: Per Curiam

Highlight: Convictions for carrying a concealed firearm and possessing a short-barreled shotgun are summarily affirmed under N.D.R.App.P. 35.1(a)(3).

Rojas v. Workforce Safety and Ins., et al. (Cross-ref. w/20040352) 2006 ND 221
Docket No.: 20060087
Filing Date: 10/23/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Administrative - Workers Compensation
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: An injured employee is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney's fees when Workforce Safety and Insurance acts without substantial justification in reducing or denying the employee's benefits.

Hasper v. Center Mutual Ins. Co. 2006 ND 220
Docket No.: 20050316
Filing Date: 10/23/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Insurance
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: An insurer which seeks to deny underinsured motorist coverage based upon the insured's failure to notify the insurer of a proposed settlement with the tortfeasor must demonstrate that it suffered actual prejudice resulting from the lack of notice.
The determination whether an insurer has been prejudiced by an unauthorized settlement is a question of fact that is generally inappropriate for summary judgment.
In determining whether an insurer has suffered actual prejudice from an unauthorized settlement, relevant factors include the amount of the tortfeasor's assets, the likelihood of recovery via subrogation, the extent of the insured's damages, and the expenses and risks of litigating the insured's cause of action.

Guardianship/Conservatorship of Thomas 2006 ND 219
Docket No.: 20050370
Filing Date: 10/20/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Guardian/Conservator
Author: Maring, Mary

Highlight: The Supreme Court applies the abuse of discretion standard when reviewing a trial court's selection of a guardian and conservator.
Concern over the appearance of undue influence can establish "good cause," justifying the appointment of a neutral and detached person as guardian and conservator over others with higher priority who have a financial interest in the protected person's assets.
The Supreme Court applies the abuse of discretion standard of review to the district court's ultimate decision whether to approve payment of a claim against a protected person's estate and the clearly erroneous standard of review to the court's underlying findings of fact.

Interest of B.L.S. (Confidential) 2006 ND 218
Docket No.: 20060234
Filing Date: 10/20/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Mental Health
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: After a request to treat with medication has been made, an independent physician or psychiatrist must certify that the proposed treatment is clinically appropriate and necessary, that the patient was offered the treatment and refused it, that the prescribed medication is the least restrictive form necessary to meet the patient's needs, and that the benefits of treatment outweigh the known risks.
Mental health respondents are entitled to adequate notice and the opportunity to prepare to address the involuntary treatment with medication.
A district court cannot order medications which have not been noticed in the request to treat with medication and have not been certified as clinically appropriate and necessary by a second physician or psychiatrist.
The involuntary treatment with medication is not limited to psychotropic medications used to treat mental illness.

Hild, et al. v. Johnson, et al. 2006 ND 217
Docket No.: 20060056
Filing Date: 10/20/2006
Case Type: Appeal - Civil - Real Property
Author: Kapsner, Carol

Highlight: An undivided mineral interest conveyed or reserved in a deed may be expressed as a percentage, as a fraction, or as a specified number of mineral acres.
A grantee of a specified number of mineral acres in a described tract of land acquires that number of acres, and does not gain or lose if the tract contains more or less acreage than contemplated by the parties.
A grantee of an undivided mineral interest expressed as a percentage or fraction acquires that quantum in the entire described tract of land, and may gain or lose if the tract contains more or less acreage than contemplated by the parties.
When there is a discrepancy in a deed between the specific description of the property conveyed and an expression of the quantity conveyed, the specific description is controlling.
Quantity is the least certain of all elements of description in a deed, and all other elements of description must be ambiguous and uncertain before a recital of quantity will be considered.