Pappas v. Bever
Supreme Court of Iowa
219 N.W.2d 720 (1974)
- Written by Jayme Weber, JD
Facts
Philip Bissonnette Jr. signed a form stating that he “intend[ed]” to give $5,000 to Charles City College (college) over time. The pledge form had been printed by the college fundraisers and was filled in as to the amount, the terms, and Bissonnette’s signature. Bissonnette gave the college $1,000 in 1967 and another $1,000 in 1968, the year the college shut down. Bissonnette died a year later without having given any more money to the college. The receiver of the then-closed college, William Pappas (plaintiff), sued the executor of Bissonnette’s estate, Sondra Bever (defendant), to recover the remaining $3,000 pledged by the form. The only evidence of the pledge was the completed form and the two payments made by Bissonnette. The trial court held that the pledge form was not enough on its own to show that the pledge created a promise. Pappas appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (McCormick, J.)
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