Kalandra Wheeler
Kalandra Wheeler is a Board Certified Houston/Austin employment lawyer.

Contracts are like relationship agreements for grown-ups—both parties promise to do their part, and if all goes well, nobody gets ghosted. Contracts (e.g., employment contracts or severance agreements) are meant to clearly outline each party’s rights, duties, and obligations. However, when one party suddenly vanishes or otherwise fails to fulfill their obligations, a breach occurs—like being stood up on date night. Cue the financial heartbreak and possible damages for the non-breaching party, who’s left wondering where it all went wrong. Enter detrimental reliance, the legal equivalent of “but you said you’d be there!”—a concept that can seriously change the outcome of a breach of contract claim. Understanding how breach of contract and detrimental reliance work together can help businesses and individuals avoid being ghosted in the legal world.

Breach of Contract AKA the Legal Version of a Bad Breakup: It’s like when someone promises to be there for you but ghosts you instead. A breach can hit in a few different ways:

  • Material breach: A substantial failure to perform an essential element of the agreement that undermines the contract’s essence. This is like finding out they never loved you—it destroys the foundation of the relationship (or contract).
  • Minor breach: A partial failure to perform where the core of the agreement remains intact, but some terms weren’t fulfilled. It’s like forgetting an anniversary but still showing up for date night. Annoying, but the relationship is still intact—mostly.
  • Anticipatory breach: This occurs when one party indicates in advance that they won’t fulfill their obligations. It’s like them texting, “Yeah, we signed a lease, but I don’t think I’ll be moving in” before you even unpack. Harsh, right?

Detrimental reliance, pursued under the theory of promissory estoppel, is like when someone tells you, “I’m not like the others, I swear,” and you believe them—even if you never defined the relationship (executed a formal contract). Maybe you quit your job or made a big move because of their promise, only for them to bail. Now you’re left holding the emotional (and sometimes financial) baggage. In simple terms, detrimental reliance may be when you’ve rearranged your life based on sweet talk without nuptials.

For detrimental reliance to apply, these conditions must generally be met:

  • A clear and definite promise: The party making the promise must express a clear commitment. Maybe it was, “I’ll never leave you,” or “I’m ready for something serious.” The key is that they made a solid promise—no vague “we’ll see” stuff.
  • Reasonable reliance: The relying party must show that they reasonably believed and depended on the promise. You didn’t just fall for sweet words; you had every reason to believe them. Maybe you made future plans together—shopping for rings, meeting the family—so you weren’t being irrational. You had reason to trust them.
  • Detriment: The reliance must result in some form of loss or harm. Maybe you passed up other opportunities, invested financially, or gave up something important. Now, because you counted on that promise, you’re worse off.

Ultimately, it’s up to a court to decide whether justice requires enforcement. This is the part where the universe (or maybe a judge or jury) says, “It wouldn’t be fair for them to walk away without paying some compensation for the mess they made.”

Detrimental reliance becomes significant in contract disputes when one party argues that, despite the absence of a formal contract, the other party’s promises induced them to take specific actions, resulting in harm when those promises weren’t kept. While detrimental reliance can be a helpful legal safety net in certain situations, it’s always better to have a well-drafted contract. It’s less risky to rely on a written agreement that clearly outlines each party’s obligations.

If you believe you’ve suffered from detrimental reliance or a breach of contract, we have attorneys available for consultation.

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We asked Kalandra N. Wheeler, a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C., to provide her sincere answers to a range of questions.  After reading, you will be more more abreast with the understanding and competency that Ms. Wheeler

We asked Kalandra N. Wheeler, a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C., to provide her sincere answers to a range of questions.  After reading, you will be more more abreast with the understanding and competency that Ms. Wheeler brings.

1.Why did you start practicing labor and employment law?

I wanted to be able to help people that otherwise might not find help. Labor and employment laws affect most of society.  And – whether our results help one or many – our work and efforts as employment lawyers touch people in a real way in their every day lives.

2. Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice?

Thurgood Marshall.

3. What do you think is the most important part of a good case?

The client. Good facts and evidence are definitely important. But good clients are a lawyers’ most valuable asset.  A good client: (1) is invested in their case; (2) works or worked hard for their employer; (3) can tell their story clearly and concisely; and (4) is someone that a jury will find sympathetic and relatable.

4. If you could write a new law, what would it do?

The Texas Workplace Anti-Bullying law.  I hear the stories, the ones told by employees looking for help. And in far too many of those stories the law offers no solution.  Every employee that goes to work and works hard to do the job they are hired to perform should be able to do so without abuse, harassment, and bullying. There is no justification for bullying, not in our schools, and not in our workplaces.

5. Besides Rob Wiley, P.C., what is the most interesting job that you have had?

For a year before law school, I worked as a lube tech for Jiffy Lube.  I spent hot summer days, working on hot cars, changing oil or flushing transmissions or radiators.  I never had a customer come back with a complaint.

6. How do you market yourself differently than others?

I tell clients what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Before a client begins down any path toward resolving an employment dispute, they need thoughtful, honest advice. I am a believer in justice and everyday people deserve competent representation in an arena that is difficult for non-lawyers to navigate.

7. What do you do when you’re not practicing law?

I spend time with family and friends.  I read true crime books.  I sew and draw.

8. How would you describe the color yellow to someone who could not see?

It’s not the intense heat of the sun during the month of August, but instead the softness of the sun on your skin just as the seasons change from Summer to Fall.  It’s warm. And soft to the touch.  It’s fresh squeezed lemonade with a hint of sugar.  Slightly cool, inviting, and happy.

9. What’s your favorite legal TV show?

Law & Order: SVU

10. If you could argue any case in history, what would it be?

The Karen Silkwood case. But really, I think that would be more about arguing and trying a case alongside Gerry Spence for the learning experience.

Kalandra N. Wheeler is a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C.  She graduated from The University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  Ms. Wheeler went on and received her law degree from The University of Arkansas.