Walter

Petitioner seeks a writ of mandate directing the respondent court to grant his motion to quash service of summons (Code Civ. Proc., § 418.10) for lack of personal jurisdiction.

Petitioner is a widower who lives in New Jersey. Real party, the plaintiff in this case, is the sister of petitioner’s deceased wife. Plaintiff alleges in her complaint that petitioner, in a series of telephone calls, induced her to move to New Jersey to be his “companion for travel, social and cultural events and to be his confidante.” Petitioner allegedly promised to support plaintiff for the rest of her life, provide her with medical insurance through his company, pay her a large sum of money, and buy her a new car. Plaintiff claims that in reliance on petitioner’s promises, she resigned her job, with its attendant benefits, and moved to New Jersey to live with petitioner. The situation proved unsatisfactory and plaintiff returned to California.

Plaintiff filed the present action against petitioner seeking (1) the amount of money petitioner allegedly promised to give her whether or not the living arrangement was successful, (2) a new car or the equivalent in cash, and (3) damages plaintiff…