Opinion ID: 876899
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the equity issue

Text: The District Court found as a matter of equity that the defendants fully performed their obligation by paying the agreed-upon price to Mountain Sales, Inc. Boise Cascade contends by so holding the court denied that portion of its complaint relying upon equitable estoppel and that such a denial is improper. Equitable estoppel is an unfavored doctrine and will only be sustained upon clear and convincing evidence, Fiers v. Jacobson (1949), 123 Mont. 242, 211 P.2d 968. What is lacking as an element of estoppel against the defendants is any reliance on the execution of the instrument of July 25, 1974 by Boise Cascade to begin production of or to deliver the modular home. An estoppel arises only when a party by his acts, conduct or acquiescence has caused another in good faith to change his position for the worse. Mundt v. Mallon (1938), 106 Mont. 242, 249, 76 P.2d 326; Bagley v. Hotel Florence Company (1974), 165 Mont. 145, 151, 526 P.2d 1372, 1375. The summary judgment entered by the District Court is affirmed. HASWELL, C.J., and DALY, HARRISON and SHEA, JJ., concur.