Helling v. American State Bank & Trust Co.

LEVINE, Justice.

Duane Helling filed a creditor’s claim against the estate of his mother, Edith Hell-ing. Edith Helling’s grandchildren, David, Scott and Terry Helling, appeal from the trial court’s order allowing Duane’s claim. Because we believe that the trial court’s finding of reasonable reliance supporting equitable estoppel is not clearly erroneous, we affirm.

Edith and Alfred Helling had two sons, Duane and Robert. In 1961, Duane lent a total of $11,128.00 to his parents, which they used for downpayments in purchasing a restaurant and a house in Williston. The loans were evidenced by a…