Dorton v. Chase

OPINION*

TOM GRAY, Chief Justice.

Thomas Chase and Parrish Todd Dorton had a business relationship. They were also friends. When the business relationship soured, so did the friendship. They eventually entered into a Settlement Agreement. But Chase then sued Dorton over a debt on bank notes which Chase paid and alleged that Dorton owed. Dor-ton agreed that he owed the debt, unless he was excused. As defenses to the lawsuit, Dorton asserted four ways he was excused from paying the debt: assumption; waiver; estoppel by contract involving a memorandum signed by Chase; and estoppel by contract…