North Dakota court rejects woman's claim for home improvement expenses

The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that <b>Mary Roth</b> cannot recover over <b>$110,000</b> spent on home enhancements after her relationship with rancher <b>Gary Meyer</b> ended. Roth filed an unjust enrichment claim against the family trust that owns the property, seeking repayment for building materials and supplies. The unanimous court upheld a Grant County District Court ruling, stating that purchase receipts alone do not prove added property value. Justice Jon J. Jensen explained that claimants must demonstrate an actual financial benefit to the owner through expert evidence or property appraisals, rather than relying solely on money spent. This ruling marks the conclusion of multi-year litigation that previously reached the state Supreme Court in 2024 and 2025. The final decision leaves the property with the family trust and denies Roth the financial recovery she sought to obtain.