Reference no: EM133416738

Assignment:

Elvis Presley, a singer of great renown and a man of substantial wealth, became engaged to Ginger Alden. He was generous with the Alden family, paying for landscaping the lawn, installing a swimming pool, and making other gifts. When his fiancée's mother, Jo Laverne Alden, sought to divorce her husband, Presley promised to pay off the remaining mortgage indebtedness on the Alden home, which Mrs. Alden was to receive in the divorce settlement. Subsequently, Presley died suddenly, leaving the mortgage unpaid. When the legal representative of Presley's estate refused to pay the mortgage, Mrs. Alden brought an action to enforce Presley's promise. The trial court denied recovery. Mrs. Alden appealed.

1. Generally, promises to give a gift are not enforceable. According to the textbook, what would be required to turn an unenforceable gift promise into an enforceable promise?
2. Alden tried to argue that the promise should be enforced due to promissory estoppel. According to the book, what is promissory estoppel, and what elements must be shown for a court to apply promisory estoppel?
3. Given the facts in the case summary, do you think Presley's promise to pay the mortgage should be enforceable? Fully explain your reasoning.