Doctrine of Proprietary Estoppel

The Doctrine of Proprietary Estoppel is a legal principle that protects individuals who have relied on a promise or assurance regarding property rights, even if that promise wasn't formalized in a legal document. If someone has acted on a belief that they would receive or maintain a property right and it would be unfair to deny them that right, the doctrine can enforce the promise. This often occurs in situations involving family or informal arrangements where one party makes significant contributions based on the expectation of ownership or use of the property.