In a quasi-contract situation, what is typically expected?

In a quasi-contract situation, the primary expectation is that payment is made based on the fair value received. A quasi-contract, also known as an implied-in-law contract, is not an actual contract that results from an agreement between parties. Instead, it is created by a court to prevent unjust enrichment when one party benefits at the expense of another, even in the absence of a formal agreement or specific terms.

This legal concept ensures that if one party receives a benefit that they did not pay for, the law recognizes that the benefiting party should compensate the other to uphold fairness and justice. For example, if someone provides services to another party under the assumption that they would be compensated, but no formal contract exists, the court may impose a quasi-contract to require payment equivalent to the value of those services.

The other options, such as requiring a formal agreement, specific written terms, or a verbal agreement, do not align with the nature of quasi-contracts, which arise out of the need to address situations lacking explicit agreements yet still warrant compensation to avoid unfair outcomes.