Answer this question in IRAC format. Note that while my sample answer favors one of the parties, it also provides counter analysis for why that party might not win. There’s no one right answer. When analyzing this promissory estoppel question, use the 7-element standard that is in my slides from Class 3, not the Restatement (2d) of Contracts § 90(1) standard.
Victoria Smith and Robert Smith (yes, the same last name but no relation to each other) met in their first year of medical school and quickly became romantically involved with each other. By the end of the third year of medical school, the couple moved in together, and Victoria became pregnant with Robert’s child. Victoria dropped out of medical school, while Robert eventually obtained his medical license. With the pregnancy, the young couple announced to both of their families that they had gotten married and also held themselves out to numerous third parties (including banks and business associates) as a married couple over the next 15 years. The only problem was that Robert convinced Victoria that there was no need for an actual wedding certificate or wedding ceremony, and no certificate was ever issued nor did the couple ever have a wedding ceremony. With the pregnancy, Victoria dropped out of medical school and stayed home for the next five years. When Robert needed assistance with his growing medical practice, Victoria went to work in the practice as a bookkeeper and receptionist and received a salary for that work. Victoria was also was primarily responsible for childcare and maintaining the home. After 15 years, however, with his medical practice booming, Robert had an affair with one of his nurses, emptied the couple’s joint bank account, sold the house, and informed Victoria that their relationship was over. Victoria sued for divorce, only to discover that you can’t get divorced (and can’t get a division of marital assets) if you’re not married. Can Victoria recover under a theory of promissory estoppel?
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Promissory Estoppel -- "Hey, we're married, I promise"