Court Opinion

ID: 9796298
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 03:54:44.011823+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:49:49.244794
License: Public Domain

*741RAPP, J.,
specially concurring.
T 1 I fully concur with the equitable estop-pel concept advanced by the Majority. This concept provides a sufficient basis to reverse the trial court and cause judgment to be entered for Father.
12 However, I also assert that the contract is enforceable under the facts of this case. Both parties entered into an agreement in good faith. Over the years, the agreement was fully executed. Mother received the benefit of her bargain, the exclusive possession and enjoyment of the children and, for her own reasons, the denial to the children of the monetary benefit of child support and enjoyment of Father's companionship. Father did not pay child support, but at a cost of the irrevocable loss of the joy and love of his children in the bargain. Father can never recover these fleeting childhood moments, nor can they be recreated. Mother received the entire benefit of her contract with Father. Now, she wants that consideration which she relinquished, that is the unpaid child support for her children when they were minors, but who are now adults. It is most interesting to note the adult children are not the plaintiffs here. Furthermore, Mother's request is wholly inconsistent with the intent of the parties' original agreement. I note that if this Court were to deny enforcement of this contract, now that the children are adults, such would be tantamount to condoning deceit and fraud. It would also require payment of monies to persons not eligible under the child support statutes. A denial would also ignore the loss Father has endured because he honored and performed the oral contract to his detriment. Further, recognition of the contract is not inconsistent with Hedges, where denial of the contract as to future support involved children who were still minors. For these reasons, I would also include judgment for Father on the contract entered into by the parties.