Victor E. Vance and Mildred Vance v. John

This Court has consolidated appeals from two summary judgments 1 that were entered in favor of numerous defendants and
against the plaintiffs, Victor and Mildred Vance, in a case involving allegations of promissory fraud, breach of contract,
wrongful ouster from a partnership, and a number of other claims. The facts giving rise to the Vances' various claims are
complex. Therefore, the basic facts surrounding this case will be set out, with a more detailed exposition of the pertinent
facts to be supplied as each issue is addressed. In 1986 John Huff, Victor Vance, and Kiefer Hobby formed a business association for the purposes of developing and managing
a manufacturers' outlet shopping center in Opelika and for developing or managing similar centers in other parts of the State.
No written agreement was executed by these parties, and there is a dispute as to whether they intended to form a partnership
or to form a different type of business organization. Notwithstanding that dispute, it is clear that Huff was to provide the
capital needed for the association's projects and that Vance and Hobby were to provide labor and services.