In many states, explicitly agreeing on consideration in the case of rescindment isn't required for a claim. In contract law, there's a doctrine called "promiss

In many states, explicitly agreeing on consideration in the case of rescindment isn't required for a claim. In contract law, there's a doctrine called "promissory estoppel" (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/promissory_estoppel http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/promissory_estoppel) that basically says, "if somebody promises you X, and as a reasonable result of that promise, you do Y, and Y is very bad for you if promise X is revoked, you can sue for damages." The OP's case is a classic example where promissory estoppel can be applied. Alas, New York does not recognize promissory estoppel (see Marino v. Oakwood Care Center http://caselaw.findlaw.com/ny-supreme-court/1371955.html http://caselaw.findlaw.com/ny-supreme-court/1371955.html), but many states do.