Opinion ID: 2617041
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: quantum meruit/unjust enrichment

Text: To succeed on a claim for unjust enrichment, a plaintiff must prove (1) valuable services were provided to the defendant; (2) which were used and enjoyed by the defendant; (3) under circumstances which reasonably notified the defendant that the plaintiff expected payment; and (4) without payment the defendant would be unjustly enriched. Adkins v. Lawson, 892 P.2d 128, 131 (Wyo.1995) ( quoting Zitterkopf v. Bradbury, 783 P.2d 1142, 1144 (Wyo.1989)). Smith contends this case is factually similar to Adkins, where we held that the plaintiff could not recover on a claim of quantum meruit because she provided her services gratuitously and, therefore, the defendant estate did not receive reasonable notification that payment was expected. Adkins, 892 P.2d at 132. In this case, however, the disputed facts provide sufficient evidence for a jury to reach more than one conclusion regarding Shaw's motivation for her efforts on behalf of Smith. Smith acknowledges he promised her some benefit at the commencement of their liaison, and there is ample evidence that her expectations of financial benefit were the subject of several conversations leading to the amendment and creation of various trust documents. Thus, it becomes a question of fact whether she provided services solely out of love or with the expectation of financial compensation. Smith also maintains Shaw cannot show that he was unjustly enriched because Shaw was paid for her assistance in his business endeavors through her SGN paychecks, pension, and other benefits, and her household services were compensated through the provision of her living accommodations. On the other hand, Shaw contends that the many household, social, and business services she provided for almost ten years were not sufficiently compensated merely by the provision of a home and food. As Shaw described the situation, after the trust documents were executed, I worked myself crazy for him because I believed that half of everything was mine. The record contains conflicting evidence regarding whether services provided by Shaw in relation to Smith's separate business activities were part of her job duties for SGN, or separate services performed to advance the alleged partnership between Shaw and Smith. Similarly, the extent of her efforts is contested. We, therefore, must leave to the trier of fact whether Shaw received adequate compensation for her efforts spanning the ten years of the couple's relationship.