70-20-201. Rules for construing description. - Montana Statutes

     70-20-201. Rules for construing description. The following are the rules for construing the descriptive part of a conveyance of real property when the construction is doubtful and there are no other sufficient circumstances to determine it:
     (1) Where there are certain definite and ascertained particulars in the description, the addition of others which are indefinite, unknown, or false does not frustrate the conveyance, but it is to be construed by the first mentioned particulars.
     (2) When permanent and visible or ascertained boundaries or monuments are inconsistent with the measurement, either of lines, angles, or surfaces, the boundaries or monuments are paramount.
     (3) Between different measurements which are inconsistent with each other, that of angles is paramount to that of surfaces and that of lines paramount to both.
     (4) When a road or stream of water not navigable is the boundary, the rights of the grantor to the middle of the road or the thread of the stream are included in the conveyance, except where the road or thread of the stream is held under another title.
     (5) When a navigable lake, where there is no tide, is the boundary, the rights of the grantor to low watermark are included in the conveyance.
     (6) When the description refers to a map and that reference is inconsistent with other particulars, it controls them if it appears that the parties acted with reference to the map; otherwise, the map is subordinate to other definite and ascertained particulars.

     History: En. Sec. 3413, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 8039, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 10683, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 2077; re-en. Sec. 10683, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2201-4.