North Dakota woman loses $110,000 home improvement claim after breakup with partner

A North Dakota woman who spent more than $110,000 on building materials and other items for a home on land owned by her longtime partner's family trust cannot get her money back through an unjust enrichment claim, the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled. The decision, issued on Friday, 6 November 2026, upheld a Grant County District Court ruling that rejected a financial claim filed by Mary Roth. She had sought repayment after her relationship with rancher Gary Meyer ended.

The case involved a 10-acre residential property in rural Grant County, North Dakota, where the couple lived and ran a cattle business together. Gary Meyer had lived on the property for decades and believed he owned it. However, the legal ownership belonged to the Jean L.

Ehrmantrout Residuary Trust, which was managed by his three sons as co-trustees. After the relationship ended, Roth asked to be repaid for the large number of items and materials she bought to build and improve the home.