Court Opinion

ID: 9727961
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 13:53:45.282312+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:44.586973
License: Public Domain

SANDSTROM, Justice,
dissenting.
Mother kept her word.
The appellants correctly argue, “it cannot be said that Duane Helling reasonably relied upon the decedent’s representations in good faith which resulted in prejudice to him from refraining to commence legal action.” Appellants’ Brief at 15.
Equitable estoppel requires an underlying fraud or misrepresentation. ■ Farmers Cooperative Ass’n. of Churchs Ferry v. Cole, 289 N.W.2d 808 (N.D.1976); Cooke v. Blood Systems, Inc., 320 N.W.2d 124 (N.D.1982). Apparently the alleged fraud or misrepresentation is that the decedent had said she would pay the debt when she could or would take care of the debt in her will. Appendix at 30. She gave Duane far more than the $35,785.11 in the will. Record 27. There is no requirement that parents leave each child an equal amount. The omission of an instruction to pay just debts suggests the decedent was taking care of the obligation by bequest. If Duane had pressed his claim during her lifetime, she could have simply reduced her bequest to him accordingly.
Estoppel is not favored and the burden of proving each element is on the party asserting it. Johnson v. Northwestern Bell Tel. Co., 338 N.W.2d 622, 625 (N.D.1983); Gorley v. Parizek, 475 N.W.2d 558, 560 (N.D.1991).
There can be no equitable estoppel when the party can receive the claimed benefit without resort to the doctrine. Equitable estoppel necessarily requires a person’s right to be otherwise frustrated because of reliance on the misrepresentation. Farmers Cooperative; Cooke. All Duane was entitled to was $35,785.11. He had no right to inherit half his mother’s estate. His mother kept her word to him. Without equitable estop-pel, she has provided Duane far more than she promised.
I would reverse.