The court dismissed the plaintiff's unjust enrichment claim against her stepfather's estate due to lack of corroboration, adequate compensation, and laches.
The plaintiff, Lori Van Santvoort-Jansekovich, sued the estate of her mother's former husband, John ("Jack") Lundstrom, for unjust enrichment, seeking $469,164.05 in restitution for alleged unpaid services.
Lori claimed she provided extensive property management and business services to Jack from 1991 to 2004, based on an oral agreement that she would inherit a quarter of his estate.
The court found Lori's claims of work exaggerated and untruthful, and that she had been adequately compensated by 22 years of rent-free housing, the gifting of a house, and free accommodation and meals.
The court also concluded that no agreement to make Lori a beneficiary was proven, that the claim was statute-barred, and barred by the doctrine of laches due to significant delay and the loss of crucial witness evidence (Jack's testimony).
The action was dismissed.
