Cochran v. Robinhood Lane Baptist Church

2005 WL 3527627 (2005)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

On September 18, 1981, The Reverend began his tenure as Pastor of D. The Reverend held the job until his death in August 20, 1995. The Reverend was paid a salary and got cell phone services, beeper services, lawn services, and gas and vehicle maintenance services. At the Reverend's request, D also accorded the majority of these benefits directly to P, the Reverand's wife. At the Reverend's request, D entered into an agreement with P wherein the Church agreed to provide P with $783.56 on the first and third Sunday every month until September 5, 2010, and would provide lawn services for P's residence. P was to receive those benefits until her death, or she remarried. The agreement terminated all benefits that P previously received from the Church under the Church's oral agreement with the Reverend for his services as pastor. In March 1996, D discontinued making payments. P sued Ds seeking injunctive relief and/or damages for breach of contract and declaratory judgment. P amended her complaint to include the theory of promissory estoppel as a justification for upholding the contract. Ds moved for summary judgment. The court granted the motion, and P appealed.