Shadow Ridge Ltd. v. Ryan (In Re Ryan)

*338 INTRODUCTION

In a decedent's probate proceeding, a golf course partnership sought to enforce a claim based upon an unfulfilled pledge agreement, relying alternatively upon contract and promissory estoppel theories. The probate court dismissed both theories for failure to state a claim. Because the partnership is not a charitable, educational, or like institution, it failed to state a claim based on contract. But because it alleged having expended substantial funds in reliance upon the pledge-which must be accepted as true-it stated a claim based upon promissory estoppel. We affirm in part,…