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Unsigned Gift Pledge Enforceable Against Donor’s Estate

Unsigned Gift Pledge Enforceable Against Donor’s Estate

Unsigned Gift Pledge Enforceable Against Donor’s Estate

Temple’s detrimental reliance in capital campaign converts commitment to level of enforceable pledge
A decedent’s estate properly paid a $246,000 claim to a Jewish synagogue when the Temple relied on the unsigned pledge to encourage others to participate in its campaign for a new building and endowment, the Supreme Court of Alabama has ruled. The fact that one of the co-executors was a member of the Temple and on one of its committees did not invalidate the payment. ( Ruttenberg v. Friedman, No. 1090600, 5/11/12 .) Harold Ruttenberg promised Knesseth Israel Temple $250,000 toward its capital and endowment campaign in the summer of 2003. He did not sign and return a pledge card, but did make a $4000 payment on his pledge in December of that year. When he died in 2005, the Temple asked for...

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