Gilbert v. Barkes
Kentucky Supreme Court
987 S.W.2d 772 (1999)
- Written by Meredith Hamilton Alley, JD
Facts
Suzanne Barkes (plaintiff) and Dr. Alvin Gilbert (defendant) started a relationship in January 1989. Gilbert proposed marriage to Barkes in late 1990, and Barkes accepted. Because of the impending marriage and because Gilbert insisted, Barkes took early retirement in 1992, sold her house, and moved into Gilbert’s house in 1993. The relationship began to fail, and Barkes moved out of Gilbert’s house in 1994. Later that year, Barkes sued Gilbert for breach of promise to marry (BPM), seeking damages for losses she incurred in the sale of her house and for taking early retirement. Barkes did not allege that the parties had set a wedding date or paid any expenses related to a wedding. The trial court granted summary judgment to Gilbert, which the Kentucky Court of Appeals overturned. Gilbert appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stephens, J.)
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