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Green v. Richmond

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

337 N.E.2d 691 (1975)

Facts

Maxwell Richmond and Bernyce Green (plaintiff) got engaged. Before they were married, Richmond backed out of the engagement but asked Green to stay with him. Richmond orally promised Green that if she stayed with him, he would leave her his entire estate in his will. Richmond died eight years later. Richmond’s will did not reflect the promise, and Green sued Richmond’s estate (defendant). At trial, Green presented corroborated evidence that she stayed with Richmond until his death and provided him with social, domestic, and business services during that time, fulfilling her part of their agreement. Evidence was also presented that the two had sex on occasion but that Richmond was also involved sexually with other women. The trial court admitted evidence of the value of the estate’s probate inventory, which was over $7 million. With knowledge of this value, the jury returned a verdict for Green in the amount of $1,350,000. Richmond’s personal representative appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Hennessey, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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