Court Opinion

ID: 4247544
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-22 21:10:25.65662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:25.969576
License: Public Domain

COURT OF CHANCERY
                                     OF THE
                               STATE OF DELAWARE
PATRICIA W. GRIFFIN                                                   CHANCERY COURTHOUSE
MASTER IN CHANCERY                                                         34 The Circle
                                                                   GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE 19947

                           Final Report:      February 22, 2018
                           Draft Report:
                           Date Submitted:    November 30, 2017

Dorey L. Cole, Esquire
Moore & Rutt, P.A.
122 West Market Street
PO Box 554
Georgetown, DE 19947

Dean A. Campbell, Esquire
Law Office of Dean A. Campbell, LLC
20175 Office Circle
PO Box 568
Georgetown, DE 19947

RE:      Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and
         Charles Douglas Morton, Jr.
         C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG

Dear Counsel:

         Daniel F. Morton, Sr. (hereinafter “Daniel”) filed a petition against

Respondents Ernest Rogers, Jr. (hereinafter “Ernest”), Tammie Rogers (hereinafter

“Tammie”), and Charles Douglas Morton, Jr. (hereinafter “Charles), on August 22,

2017 seeking a declaratory judgment confirming the validity of a contract for the

sale of real property, specific performance of the sales contract, alternative relief

and damages, costs and attorney’s fees based upon intentional misrepresentation,
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 2 of 20

equitable fraud, common law fraud and civil conspiracy.1 Pending before me is

Respondents’ October 12, 2017 motion to dismiss the petition under Court of

Chancery Rule 12(b)(6). Respondents argue that Daniel has failed to state a claim

for specific performance because the contract lacks definite essential terms and is

unenforceable, and once specific performance is denied, the other claims should be

dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because those claims seek

remedies at law. The motion is fully briefed.

          I recommend that the Court deny Respondents’ motion to dismiss. This is a

final report.

BACKGROUND

          Daniel entered into an alleged contract to purchase approximately two acres

of land from Ernest and Tammie (hereinafter “two-acre property”), which was part

of the 118 acres they owned on the west side of Blacksmith Shop Road in

Greenwood, Delaware, in June 2014. The contract is memorialized in two receipts

dated June 17, 2014 and October 8, 2014 and signed by Daniel and Ernest. The

June 2014 receipt stated:

          I DANIEL F. MORTON ON THIS DAY OF JUNE 17, 2014 GIVE
          TO ERNIE ROGERS [$]1,000.00 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF
          LAND, SOUTH AND ADJACENT TO CHARLES, CHUCK,

1
    I may use first names in pursuit of clarity and intend no familiarity or disrespect.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 3 of 20

          MORTON. THIS LAND CONSIST[S] OF PLUS OR MINUS (2)
          ACRES, MEASURING 284 ft. BACK FROM ROAD
          (BLACKSMITH SHOP ROAD) AND APPROXIMATELY 300’
          PLUS ON FRONT DEPENDING WIDTH OF RIGHT OF WAY
          [letters scratched out] OR SERVICE LANE REQUESTED BY MR.
          ROGERS.

The October 2014 receipt provided:

          I DANIEL F. MORTON GIVE TO ERNIE ROGERS THE 2nd
          $1,000.00 PAYMENT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF LAND,
          SOUTH AND ADJACENT TO CHARLES MORTON. THIS LAND
          CONSIST[S] OF PLUS OR MINUS (2) ACRES, MEASURING 284
          FEET BACK FROM BLACKSMITH SHOP ROAD AND
          APPROXIMATELY 300’ PLUS ON FRONT DEPENDING ON
          WIDTH OF MR. ROGER’S RIGHT OF WAY OR SERVICE LAND
          TO THE SOUTH AS REQUESTED BY MR. ROGERS. THIS IS
          THE SECOND PAYMENT AND WE ARE CURRENTLY
          WAITING FOR AN OFFICAL [sic] SURVEY. THIS PAYMENT IS
          TOWARD THE ORIGINAL AGREED PURCHASE PRICE TOTAL
          OF [$]29,500.00 (TWENTY NINE THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED
          DOLLARS), WHICH WASN’T NOTED ON THE FIRST RECEIPT.

Daniel asserts that the parties originally agreed to settle “after completion of the

survey and subdivision,” but “at the Rogers’ request the parties agreed instead for

Daniel to begin making monthly payments toward the purchase price, with

settlement to occur at such a time as the purchase price was paid in full.”2

          In addition to the June and October 2014 payments, Daniel made 26

monthly payments towards the purchase of the two-acre property between

2
    Verified Pet. ¶ 17 (Aug. 22, 2017).
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 4 of 20

December 2014 and January 2017.3 Daniel provided written receipts for each

payment, with Ernest signing each receipt, sometimes after the notation “payment

received by” or “received by.”4 Ernest and Tammie owned the two-acre property

by joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. Tammie did not sign any of the

receipts.    Daniel alleges that Tammie “was present during [the contract’s]

negotiation and execution and [she] provided every indication that she accepted its

terms and Mr. Rogers’ authority to bind her to the same.”5 He also asserts that

Tammie was present “almost every time a monthly payment was delivered and

accepted” by Ernest, and, on occasion, Ernest would hand the funds directly over

to Tammie.6

       Daniel contends that he contacted the Rogers about completing the survey

and purchase of the two-acre property in the spring of 2016, but they indicated the

“survey could not be completed until after the first of the year” because of the

terms of an existing farm lease that would expire on December 31, 2016.7 Daniel

3
  Daniel presented evidence he has paid a total amount of $16,500 on the $29,500 purchase price,
and made payments in the amount of $1,000 in June, October and December 2014, and May and
June 2015. The remaining 23 monthly payments were for $500. Id. Ex. C, D.
4
  Id. ¶ 18, Ex. D.
5
  Id. ¶ 14.
6
  Id. ¶¶ 19-20.
7
  Id. ¶ 23.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 5 of 20

presented evidence that his son, who he intended to live on the property, had house

plans drawn up in July 2016 to build a house on the 2-acre property.

       Through a deed dated November 10, 2016, Ernest and Tammie transferred

their entire 118-acre property, without payment of monetary consideration and

without reserving the two-acre property, to Charles. Subsequent to that transfer,

the Rogers continued to accept monthly payments from Daniel on the two-acre

property on November 21, 2016, December 20, 2016, and January 20, 2017.

Daniel claims that, between January 20th and mid-February 2017, he received

permission from the Rogers to survey the two-acre property and, on one occasion,

Charles joined him to assist with the measurements in placing corner markers on

the property but did not inform Daniel that the Rogers had deeded the entire 118-

acre property to him. During the same time, the Rogers began asking to extend the

proposed service lane from 10-15 feet to 40-50 feet. Then in mid-February 2017,

Charles asked Daniel to contact a particular attorney, and the attorney told Daniel

about the transfer between the Rogers and Charles, which the attorney said was a

gifted transaction, and stated his view that the contract was unenforceable and

invalid.

ANALYSIS

       A. Standard of review for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6)
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 6 of 20

       The Court may dismiss parties’ claims for failure to state a claim under

Court of Chancery Rule 12(b)(6). The facts for purposes of the motion to dismiss

under Rule 12(b)(6) are drawn from the complaint and all well-pled allegations in

the complaint are assumed to be true and the petitioner receives the benefit of all

reasonable inferences.8 Conclusions in the complaint are not accepted as true

without allegations of facts to support them.9 But vagueness or lack of detail are

not sufficient grounds alone to dismiss for failure to state a claim so long as the

complaint provides the defendant with notice of the claim. 10 Failure to plead an

element of a claim is grounds for dismissal of that claim.11 A broad brush must be

used in determining sufficiency of claims – whether a plaintiff may recover under

any reasonably conceivable set of circumstances susceptible of proof.12 If recovery

on a particular claim is not reasonably conceivable, then the Court grants the

8
  See In re Tri-Star Pictures, Inc., Litig., 634 A.2d 319, 326 (Del. 1993) (citation omitted);
Prairie Capital III, L.P. v. Double E Holding Corp., 132 A.3d 35, 49 (Del. Ch. 2015).
9
  In re Tri-Star Pictures, Inc., Litig., 634 A.2d at 326.
10
   Cent. Mortg. Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Holdings LLC, 27 A.3d 531, 536 (Del.
2011); Morgan v. Wells, 80 A.2d 504, 505 (Del. Ch. 1951).
11
   Cf. Pulieri v. Boardwalk Properties, LLC, 2015 WL 691449, at *5 (Del. Ch. Feb. 18, 2015);
Zebroski v. Progressive Direct Ins. Co., 2014 WL 2156984, at *6 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 2014).
12
   Cent. Mortg. Co., 27 A.3d at 536, citing Savor, Inc. v. FMR Corp., 812 A.2d 894, 896-97 (Del.
2002).
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 7 of 20

motion and dismisses that claim under Rule 12(b)(6). If recovery is reasonably

conceivable, the motion to dismiss is denied.13

       B. Standard of review for specific performance

       Daniel seeks specific performance of his contract with the Rogers for the

sale of the two-acre property.14           A party seeking specific performance of an

agreement for the sale of real estate must establish by clear and convincing

evidence that he has a valid contract, he is ready, willing and able to perform his

obligations under the contract, and that the balance of equities tips in his favor.15

He must also show that no adequate legal remedy exists.16 Specific performance is

an “extraordinary remedy” available at the discretion of the court.17 The legal

standard here is whether it is reasonably conceivable that Daniel can establish a

right to specific performance of the real estate contract by clear and convincing

evidence.

13
   Cf. Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449, at *5; In re Tri-Star Pictures, Inc., Litig., 634 A.2d at 326;
Spence v. Funk, 396 A.2d 967, 968 (Del. 1978).
14
   In their reply, Respondents state they are not claiming there was “no contract between the
parties” but that the contract did not sufficiently identify essential terms necessary for specific
performance. Resp’ts’ Reply Br. 4-5 (Nov. 30, 2017).
15
   Cf. Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449, at *5 (citing Osborn ex rel. Osborn v. Kemp, 991 A.2d 1153,
1158 (Del. 2010)); Walton v. Beale, 2006 WL 265489, at *3 (Del. Ch. Jan. 30, 2006).
16
   W. Willow-Bay Court, LLC v. Robino-Bay Court Plaza, LLC, 2007 WL 3317551, at *12 (Del.
Ch. Nov. 2, 2007).
17
   Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449, at *6.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 8 of 20

       C. Is it reasonably conceivable that Daniel can prove a valid contract
          exists for specific performance?

       The essential terms of a real estate contract are the names of the buyer and

seller, description of the property to be sold, sales price or the means of

determining the price, the terms and conditions of the sale, and the signature of the

party to be charged.18 Specific performance will not be granted if the terms of the

contract are unclear or if the court has to supply the meaning to essential terms of a

contract.19    In determining whether contract terms are sufficiently definite to

support specific performance, the court avails itself of the usual contract

construction aids, including common usage, reasonable implications of fact, and

consideration of the uncertain part of the contract “in its relation to the contract as

a whole.”20 Ambiguity can be explained by oral testimony or other evidence, and

the intention of the parties disclosed by “presumptions arising in the light of the

facts and circumstances and by the use of common sense.”21 An agreement may be

enforceable “even where some of its terms are left to future determination.”22

18
   Id.
19
   Walton, 2006 WL 265489, at *3.
20
   Lee Builders, Inc. v. Wells, 92 A.2d 710, 714 (Del. Ch. 1952), rev’d on other grounds, 99 A.2d
620 (Del. 1953).
21
   Id.
22
   Estate of Osborn ex rel. Osborn v. Kemp, 2009 WL 2586783, at *8 (Del. Ch. Aug. 20, 2009),
aff'd sub nom. Osborn ex rel. Osborn v. Kemp, 991 A.2d 1153 (Del. 2010).
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 9 of 20

          Respondents argue that Daniel’s claim for specific performance fails

because the real estate contract lacks sufficiently definite essential terms to be

enforceable.        Respondents claim the missing essential terms are a definite

settlement date, a sufficiently detailed description, and Tammie’s signature. They

also contend that the absence of Tammie’s signature violates the Statute of Frauds

and, without her signature, the contract is unenforceable because Ernest, a joint

owner with the right of survivorship with Tammie, did not have the legal capability

to convey the property since the contract intended the sale of a “fee simple

interest.”23 Further, they assert that the need to obtain third-party approvals prior

to conveyance of the two-acre property – for the subdivision from the county’s

planning and zoning office and for an entrance permit from the Delaware

Department of Transportation (hereinafter “DelDOT”) – precludes specific

performance.

          Daniel responds that the two-acre property is uniquely suited to meet

Daniel’s purpose, and that the contract addresses all of the essential terms. He

asserts that the June and October 2014 receipts memorialize contract terms,

including the $29,500 price, sufficiently describe the property, and contain Ernest’s

signature. He further argues that the settlement date was to occur when the price

23
     Resp’ts’ Reply Br. 6.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 10 of 20

was paid in full, which the parties could ascertain based upon the payment

arrangement; the survey and subdivision are not material to specific enforcement

of the sales contract; the Rogers are equitably estopped from claiming the lack of a

survey and subdivision as deficiencies invalidating the contract, since they

prevented Daniel from obtaining the survey until the end of 2016; and Tammie,

through her words and acts, evidenced her agreement to the contract and held

Ernest out as having apparent authority to act as her agent. Further, Daniel claims

that partial performance through his payments, and the Rogers’ acceptance of those

payments, at generally monthly intervals from June 2014 through January 2017,

excepts the contract from the Statute of Frauds requirement that contracts for the

sale of lands be signed by the person(s) charged. And, even if it is determined that

only Ernest is bound by the contract, Daniel alleges that Ernest’s share of the joint

tenancy can be severed through his actions and a tenancy in common created

though the sale of Ernest’s one-half interest in the property.

       Here, I conclude it is reasonably conceivable Daniel can prove, by clear and

convincing evidence, that a valid contract exists for purposes of awarding specific

performance. First, I do not find Respondents’ argument that the lack of an exact

settlement date invalidates the contract persuasive.             Courts have not always

required that a real estate contract contain an exact settlement date, but instead
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 11 of 20

have looked at whether the parties’ intention as to the timing of the settlement can

be determined.24 In Walton v. Beale, a draft written contract between the parties

contained a settlement date; however, that date had long since passed without a

new date being set.25 The Court found that since the parties “either had or planned

to set a settlement date” at all times after the draft contract was prepared and before

the dispute arose, the settlement date was sufficiently definite.26 The Walton Court

looked beyond the expired date in the draft contract to determine the parties’

intentions – or plans – as to the timing of settlement, based upon the circumstances

surrounding their agreement. Here, it is reasonably conceivable that evidence can

be presented to show the parties’ intentions concerning the timing of settlement.

       The Court’s holding in Pulieri v. Boardwalk Properties, LCC concerning the

definiteness of the timing of the property transfer is distinguishable from this case.

24
   Cf. Estate of Osborn ex rel. Osborn, 2009 WL 2586783, at *8 (the Court held the parties
understood that settlement would occur “sometime after” a particular date assuming that the
party purchasing the property performed his obligations “in the interim”); Walton, 2006 WL
265489, at *5; Heckman v. Nero, 1999 WL 182570, at *4 (Del. Ch. Mar. 26, 1999) (holding the
contract does not fail because “no time was provided for settlement,” because “a reasonable time
will be implied,” if there is no provision as to the time of performance in the contract).
Respondents’ reliance on River Enterprises, LLC v. Tamari Properties, LLC, 2005 WL 356823
(Del. Ch. Feb. 15, 2005), is misplaced. In River Enterprises, LLC, the Court stated that the
contract “reflect[ed] the parties’ agreement on all essential terms: price, date of settlement, and
the property to be sold.” Id. at *2. Since the contract contained a specific settlement date, the
parties’ intention as to the settlement date was not at issue. That Court held that the security for
the deposit was not an essential term. Id.
25
   Walton, 2006 WL 265489, at *2-*3.
26
   Id. at *5.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 12 of 20

In Pulieri, property was transferred between the parties under an oral agreement

with the obligation that it be transferred back “upon the happening” of certain

conditions (when the financial health of certain entities improved and when a

particular individual’s interests in those entities had been removed).27 The Court

found that the timing of retransfer was not sufficiently definite to prove specific

performance because “upon the happening” was not defined, there was no metric

specified for discerning when the financial health of the entities had improved, and

the exact entities involved were not defined.28

       Unlike the Pulieri case, here, the parties’ obligations were not controlled by

vague metrics or factors. It is reasonably conceivable that, as Daniel asserts, the

settlement date was to occur when the price was paid in full, and that the parties

planned to set a date, based upon the payment history and practices associated with

the contract.29 I conclude that it is reasonably conceivable that, in this case, the

parties’ intention as to the timing of settlement could be ascertained once the

evidence is fully developed.

27
   Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449, at *7.
28
   Id.
29
    Respondents rely on the varying amount of the payments ($1,000 or $500) to support the
indefiniteness of the settlement date. The Petition alleges that, although five of the 28 payments
were for $1,000, the remaining 23 monthly payments, and every payment between August 2015
and January 2017 (when this dispute arose), were consistently for $500. See Verified Pet. Ex. C,
D.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 13 of 20

       Second, I find that it is reasonably conceivable that Daniel can prove that the

property description in the contract, an essential term, is sufficiently definite. “A

property description is adequate if it renders with sufficient certainty the grantor’s

intention respecting the quantity and location of the land to be conveyed.”30 The

description does not need to “set forth precise dimensions in formal metes and

bounds.”31 Respondents argue that the size of the service lane was a subject of

disagreement between the parties and that the nature of the service lane – whether

a physical lane or easement – was not defined. Daniel responds that the contract

unambiguously depicts the service lane as the southern boundary line of the

property and that the exact acreage and location of lines would be determined

through a survey, which typically occurs after a sales contract is executed. I note

that Daniel alleges that the disagreement about the size of the service lane arose in

January 2017 – long after the parties entered into the contract and after the Rogers

had already transferred the property to Charles. I find the evidence, once fully

developed, could show the Rogers’ intention as to the location and quantity of the

property to be conveyed to Daniel was sufficiently definite to support specific

performance.

30
  Walton, 2006 WL 265489, at *5.
31
  Heckman, 1999 WL 182570, at *4 (finding the property description sufficiently definite, even
though the parties were unaware of the precise acreage but had walked the property line).
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 14 of 20

       Third, Respondents argue that there is no valid contract for specific

performance because Tammie, who was a joint tenant with right of survivorship,

did not sign the receipts memorializing the contract or any of the receipts, and that

Daniel alleged that she was present for the negotiation and execution of the

contract but not that she “joined the contract.”32 Further, if Tammie’s words and

actions are deemed to constitute an oral agreement, Respondents contend that there

is no evidence for the Court to determine if Tammie agreed to the essential terms.33

Respondents argue Daniel’s reliance on Ernest’s apparent authority to act as

Tammie’s agent is not supported by law and that Ernest, as only a joint owner, did

not have the legal capability to convey the full property interest envisioned by the

contract.34

       Respondents assert the absence of Tammie’s signature, in itself, voids the

contract for purposes of specific performance pursuant to Pulieri. The Court in

Pulieri did define essential terms for a real property contract to include “the

signature of the party to be charged.”35             And, the signature requirement is

consistent with the Statute of Frauds, which provides that actions cannot be

32
   Resp’ts’ Mot. to Dismiss 8 (Oct. 6. 2017).
33
   Resp’ts’ Reply Br. 4-5.
34
   Id. at 5-6.
35
   Pulieri, 2015 WL 691449, at *6.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 15 of 20

brought to enforce the sale of lands “unless the contract is reduced to writing, or

some memorandum, or notes thereof, are signed by the person to be charged

therewith.”36 However, there is a well-established exception to the Statute of

Frauds that partial performance of an oral contract may be enforced by specific

performance.37 The actual part performance must be an act which indicates the

“mutual assent” of the parties to the contract, including “making partial or full

payment for the land.”38 It is evident that, in any oral contract, there would not be

signatures of the parties. Although the Pulieri Court defined essential terms for a

written real estate contract, it analyzed the terms of an oral contract between the

parties in that case, and declined to order specific performance because of

indefinite essential terms and not due to the absence of signatures. In this case,

Daniel alleges he had a contract which was memorialized in writing and signed by

Ernest.    Daniel could show that the contract satisfies the Statute of Frauds

requirements for contracts for the sale of land as relates to Ernest. As for Tammie,

Daniel contends there is partial performance of the contract because he remitted,

and Ernest and Tammie accepted, partial payments on the contract. He argues that

Tammie is obligated under the contract through her words and acts because she

36
   6 Del. C. § 2714(a).
37
   Walton, 2006 WL 265489, at *4; Heckman, 1999 WL 182570, at *3.
38
   Walton, 2006 WL 265489, at *4.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 16 of 20

held Ernest out as her apparent agent in this agreement, and she was present when

the monthly payments were delivered and accepted some of those payments

personally from Ernest, among other acts.                    Further, Daniel asserts that the

Respondents are equitably estopped from claiming that the Statute of Frauds

forecloses the contract, since Daniel took actions detrimental to him in reliance on

the Respondents’ conduct.39 I find that it is reasonably conceivable that Daniel

could prove that there was an oral contract with Tammie, based upon similar terms

as the memorialized contract with Ernest, and that there was partial performance of

the contract sufficient to obligate Tammie. I, therefore, do not need to analyze

Daniel’s apparent agent and equitable estoppel arguments at this time.

       Respondents argue that since the property was held jointly, the contract was

unenforceable, regardless of Ernest’s actions, without Tammie’s agreement.40

Although Ernest and Tammie held the two-acre property jointly with the right of

survivorship, at the time the alleged contract was entered into, Ernest’s actions

alone can sever the unities of the title, and he can sell his interest in the property

39
  Pet’r’s Answering Br. 21-22 (Nov. 13, 2017).
40
  Resp’ts’ Am. Opening Br. on Mot. to Dismiss 14 (Oct. 12, 2017). Respondents claim that the
contract was for a fee simple interest in the property and invalid if only a partial interest is being
conveyed. Resp’ts’ Reply Br. 6-7. The factual record, once developed, will help address this
argument.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 17 of 20

separately from Tammie’s interest. If one of the joint tenants sells their interest in

the property, they break the joint tenancy and create a tenancy in common. 41

       Finally, Respondents argue that since the two-acre property has not been

subdivided from the 118-acre parcel, specific performance is inappropriate because

the consent of third parties, such as the Sussex County office of planning and

zoning and DelDOT, is needed for the contract to be enforced. This Court has held

that governmental approvals necessary for the completion of the sale are not a bar

to specific performance.42

       Finally, Respondents argue that Daniel has not performed his obligations

under the alleged contract and has not even obtained the survey on the two-acre

41
   In re Ellingsworth, 266 A.2d 890, 891 (Del. Ch. 1970); Korn v. Korn, 2015 WL 1862784, at
*7 (Del. Ch. Apr. 22, 2015) (“[t]he common law has long recognized a right to sever the unities
[of a joint tenancy with the right of survivorship] and create a tenancy in common through sale
of one owner's interest”).
42
   Heckman v. Nero, 2000 WL 1041226, at *7, n. 2 (Del. Ch. May 31, 2000) (“Impliedly, this
Court found in the Memorandum Opinion that the fact that consummation of the sale would
require the assent of Planning and Zoning was not a bar to specific performance”). The
application of the defense of impossibility of performance would be premature in this case, since
there is no evidence that the necessary governmental approvals have been sought and refused.
See id. at *4. See generally, Grynberg v. Burke, 1981 WL 17034, at *8 (Del. Ch. Aug. 31, 1981)
(“A promisor is bound to perform his contract unless it was unlawful when made, or has since
become impossible of performance through no fault of his. This impossibility may be caused . . .
by governmental act”). Respondents rely on W. Willow-Bay Court, LLC v. Robino-Bay Court
Plaza, LLC, 2007 WL 3317551 (Del. Ch. Nov. 2, 2007), in which the Court found specific
performance to be inappropriate where the contract at issue was contingent upon the seller’s
obtaining a third-party’s consent, and that consent could be withheld regardless of the seller’s
actions. Respondents’ reliance on Willow-Bay Court is misplaced because, unlike the third party
in that case, the governmental entities follow objective criteria in determining whether a minor
subdivision is approved.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 18 of 20

property needed to obtain governmental approvals.43                  Daniel responds that

Respondents should be equitably estopped from asserting nonperformance of the

survey because they prevented him from obtaining a survey until 2017, citing the

terms of their agricultural lease.44 Respondents reply that “it is blatantly obvious”

that the existence of an agricultural lease would not preclude the performance of a

simple survey, making Daniel’s reliance on such a statement unreasonable.45

       Equitable estoppel may be invoked when a party intentionally or

unintentionally leads another, relying on that conduct, to change his position to his

detriment.46 The party claiming estoppel must show that he lacked knowledge or

the means to obtain knowledge of the truth of the facts in question, relied on the

conduct and suffered a prejudicial change of position as a result.47

       The factual record needs to be developed to show whether Daniel performed

his obligations under the contract and, if performance of the survey is an issue,

whether equitable estoppel applies in this case.

       D. Is it reasonably conceivable that Daniel can show the other elements
          needed for specific performance of the contract?

43
   Resp’ts’ Mot. to Dismiss 12.
44
   Pet’r’s Answering Br. 18-19.
45
   Resp’ts’ Reply Br. 11-12.
46
   Heckman, 1999 WL 182570, at *3.
47
   Id.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 19 of 20

          In addition to showing the existence of a valid contract, the party seeking

specific performance needs to show that he is ready, willing and able to perform on

the contract and that the balance of equities tips in his favor. Daniel argues that he

is ready, willing and able to perform on the contract, has maintained sufficient

assets to pay the entire balance of the purchase price, and in March of 2017,

offered to tender the balance of the purchase price to either the Rogers or Charles.

And Daniel believes the equities tip in his favor because he selected the property

because of its size, location, surrounding, and proximity to family members and the

private school attended by his son’s children, for his son to build a house on the

property; he has searched the nearby area and has been unable to locate a substitute

property; Ernest intentionally misrepresented his authority to convey full title of

the property and Tammie intentionally concealed her ownership interest; the

Rogers intentionally delayed Daniel’s efforts to perform a survey on the property;

and Charles and the Rogers privately negotiated the conveyance of the property,

with full prior knowledge of the sale contract with Daniel; and the Rogers withheld

notice of the transfer to Charles from Daniel and accepted three more payments

under the contract after the transfer.48 Based upon the allegations before me, I

conclude it is reasonably conceivable Daniel can show that he is ready, willing and

48
     Verified Pet. ¶ 61.
Daniel F. Morton, Jr. v. Ernest L. Rogers, Jr, Tammie L. Rogers, and Charles
Douglas Morton, Jr.
C.A. No. 2017-0603-PWG
February 22, 2018
Page 20 of 20

able to perform his contractual obligations, and that the balance of equities tips in

favor of specific performance.

CONCLUSION

       Viewing the well-pled allegations and all reasonable inferences from those

allegations most favorably to Daniel, I find that it is reasonably conceivable that

Daniel could prove, by clear and convincing evidence, his claim for specific

performance of the contract for the two-acre property. Accordingly, I recommend

that the Court deny the Respondents’ motion to dismiss, and that Daniel be

allowed the opportunity to present his case based upon a fully developed record.

       Further, with the Court’s denial of the Respondents’ claim that Daniel failed

to state a claim for relief, I recommend that the Court conclude it is unnecessary to

consider Respondents’ arguments concerning the dismissal of Daniel’s other

claims for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

       This is a final report.       Exceptions may be taken pursuant to Court of

Chancery Rule 144.

                                           Sincerely,

                                           /s/ Patricia W. Griffin
                                           Patricia W. Griffin
                                           Master in Chancery
PWG/kekz