M Civ JI 142.50 Introduction to Contract Interpretation

[ Name of party ] has the burden to prove what the parties intended the contract to mean. The contract is to be interpreted so as to give effect to the parties’ intentions. You cannot make for the parties a different contract than the parties made for themselves. It is the intent expressed or apparent in the writing that controls.

Comment

Zurich Ins Co v CCR & Co, 226 Mich App 599 (1997); Old Kent Bank v Sobcak, 243 Mich App 57 (2000).

History

M Civ JI 142.50 was added March 2005. Title amended January 2022.