Constructive Trust (2014 caselaw snips)

THE EQUITABLE REMEDY OF CONSTRUCTIVE TRUST 

A constructive trust is an equitable remedy created by the courts to prevent unjust enrichment. Baker Botts, L.L.P. v. Cailloux, 224 S.W.3d 723, 736 (Tex. App.-San Antonio 2007, pet. denied) (internal citations omitted).

"A constructive trust is a relationship with respect to property, subjecting the person by whom the title to the property is held to an equitable duty to convey it to another, on the ground that his acquisition or retention of the property is wrongful and that he would be unjustly enriched if he were permitted to retain the property." Id. (quoting Talley v. Howsley, 142 Tex. 81, 176 S.W.2d 158, 160 (1943)).

As an equitable remedy, the decision to impose a constructive trust, along with its scope and application, is within the trial court's discretion. Id.; see Carr v. Weiss, 984 S.W.2d 753, 767 (Tex. App.-Amarillo 1999, pet. denied) (suggesting a jury finding is not necessary to support imposition of a constructive trust).

SOURCE: SAN ANTONIO COURT OF APPEALS - 04-13-00239-CV - 8/29/2014