Vasquez v. Hawthorne

The issue in this case is whether the facts were sufficient to grant summary judgment based on the equitable doctrine of meretricious relationship. Granting summary judgment for the plaintiff, the trial court held Frank Vasquez (Vasquez) had proved he was involved in a long-term, stable, cohabiting relationship with the decedent, Robert Schwerzler (Schwerzler). The trial court further found the property acquired during the relationship *105was the joint property of Vasquez and Schwerzler, and that it passed to Vasquez upon Schwerzler’s death and was not part of the estate. Since Schwerzler died…