King v. Wenger

Facts

The land in dispute is 160 acres, previously owned by sisters, Wenger and Ralston (Defendants), subject to a life estate in their mother, Ethel Wenger. Each sister owned an undivided half interest in the property. Ethel Wenger’s health began to deteriorate, and she discussed the advisability of selling the land with her two daughters. They agreed to sell the property, and the Defendants approached Plaintiff to have the land appraised. The Plaintiff declined to do so, but expressed an interest in purchasing the property. Ethel Wenger was hospitalized on December 26, 1972, and Plaintiff and Ethel Wenger’s daughter, Wenger visited to discuss purchasing the land. Ethel indicated that she might be willing to release her interest in the land so that it might be sold. The sales price of the land to Plaintiff was to be $16,000.00, and Plaintiff suggested that Wenger contact her other sister Ralston by telephone, which she did. Then, the Plaintiff and Wenger sat in Defendant’s car whil e Defendant wrote an agreement, which stated the date, described the property, provided for the sale price of $16,000.00, stated a maximum of $250.00 closing cost, stated that an earnest payment of $1,000.00 was to be made of that date which would be returned to purchaser in case of failure to deliver clear title, provided for an additional down payment of $3,000 to be made when title is delivered, and for payments to be made at $2,000 annually commencing one year from the date of the down payment plus five percent interest per annum. The paper was signed by “Loraine Wenger, Loraine Wenger for Lorene Ralston,” and by “Ward King buyer.” That same afternoon the Plaintiff and Wenger met with Plaintiff’s attorney, for the drawing of a formal contract for the sale of property. The earnest payment mentioned was never made. The attorney stated that he did not have time to draw up the papers at that time. Thereafter, the attorney mailed the contract to Defendant, but Defendant refused to sign ed the contract and the land was thereafter sold to another group of people for $16,000.00. Plaintiff sued for specific performance. Ethel Wegner died prior to trial. The trial court found for Defendants holding that the handwritten note did not constitute a valid contract for the sale of land. Plaintiff appealed.