Dunkin
Dunkin v. Boskey
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Swager, J.
Appellant Raymond Dunkin’s action against respondent Lisa Boskey for breach of contract was dismissed after the trial court sustained a demurrer without leave to amend. We conclude that an agreement between the parties to grant appellant paternity rights to a child conceived by artificial insemination is binding, and may be enforced to the extent of an action for unjust enrichment. We therefore reverse the judgment in part and remand the case to the trial court.
Statement of Facts and Procedural History
Following dismissal of his action for declaratory relief to establish his paternity and custody rights to a daughter born to respondent, appellant filed causes of action for breach of contract against respondent and professional negligence against defendant Pacific Fertility Medical Center (hereafter Pacific Fertility) in the present case. Appellant’s first amended complaint alleged that he and respondent “cohabitated” between 1993 and 1998, but “were never married.” Appellant had suffered from testicular cancer which had left him sterile. In 1995 he and respondent consulted with Pacific Fertility for the purpose of conceiving a child by artificial insemination.