Congregation Kadimah Toras-Moshe v. Deleo

540 N.E.2d 691 (1989)

Facts

DeLeo (D) suffered a long illness. D made an oral promise in the presence of witnesses to give the Congregation (P) $25,000. That promise was never put in writing. P wanted to use the money to create a library. D died intestate. He had no children but was survived by his wife. The estate refused to honor the promise. P sued contending that the promise was enforceable because it was supported by consideration or by reliance. The trial court rendered summary judgment for D. It was an oral gratuitous pledge, with no indication as to how the money should be used, or what D was required to do if anything in return for this promise. P appealed.