Estoppel is a legal principle that prevents a person or entity from asserting a legal right or taking a legal position that contradicts or is inconsistent with its earlier position, behavior, or agreement. The person or entity is said to be “estopped” from changing its position, behavior, or agreement because another person or entity has relied on its earlier position, behavior, or agreement (detrimental reliance).
In Wyoming, estoppel is a legal doctrine that can be invoked in various contexts, such as contract disputes, property issues, and other civil matters. The principle of estoppel prevents a party from asserting a claim or a defense that contradicts their previous statements or actions if the other party has relied on those statements or actions to their detriment. This means that if a person or entity has made a representation by their conduct or words, and another party has reasonably relied on that representation and suffered harm as a result, the first party may be estopped from denying the truth of their original representation. Estoppel can take various forms, including promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, and estoppel by deed, among others. Wyoming courts will consider the specific facts of each case to determine whether estoppel applies, ensuring that justice is served by preventing unfairness or fraud.