Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington
breach of promise to marry
does the intended bride's father, who paid for the wedding have a cause of action to recover those costs when the groom unexpectedly cancels the wedding 3 hours before the ceremony? (Is the bride's father a 3rd party beneficary of the promise to marry?)
1 Answer from Attorneys
Breach of Promise to Marry
Is the bride herself unwilling to sue? If not, let her sue. Or let her assign you her right to sue. I haven't researched your actual question, but it may be a case of promissory estoppel.
The following case should give you some guidance: Stanard v. Bolin, 88 Wn.2d 614, 565 P.2d 94 (1977). The Supreme Court, Hamilton, J., held that: (1) breach of promise to marry action should be retained to recover foreseeable special and general damages caused by breach of promise, and (2) plaintiff could not recover for loss of expected financial and social position.