Ch 14 Capacity And Legality Flashcards
Contractual capacity
Legal ability to enter into a contractual relationship
Age of majority, exceptions?
When a person is no longer a minor, sometimes dep on marriage or emancipation
contracts by minors
Voidable by option of minor, avoid by disaffirming
Disaffirmance
Legal avoidance or setting aside of a entire contractual obligation, through words or action, can usually recover any consideration
Disaffirmance limits
Within a reasonable time (any time during minority or reasonable time after minor reaches age of majority)
Majority: minor need only return the goods
Exceptions to minors right to Disaffirmance (3)
Marriage
Misrepresented age
Necessaries
Ratification
act of accepting and giving legal force to an obligation that previously was not enforceable
(Age of maturity) Express v implied ratification
- when indv, on reaching 18, states orally/in writing that they intend to be bound by contract
- minor indicates intent to abide by contract
Parent liability
not liable except contracts for necessaries
Intoxication
condition in which a persons normal capacity to act or think is inhibited by alcohol, even if voluntary, valid or voidable
How is intoxication determined?
objective indications of intoxicated persons condition to determine if they had required capacity, rarely -> void
Intoxication disaffirmance
allowed while intoxicated and for a reasonable time after becoming sober
maj - return consideration recieved unless inv necessaries
Mental incompetence - void, voidable, or valid
- if court has previously determined * mentally incompetent (they need a court-appointed guardian)
- have not been previously deemed mentally incompetent, didnt know they were entering contract, lacked mental capacity to comprehend nature, prupose, and consequences
- person had capacity when contract was formed
lucid intervals
periods during which intelligence, judgement, and will are temp restored
Who does not have contractual capacity? (3)
minors, intoxication, mental incompetence
Contracts lacking legality (3 types)
Contracts contrary to statute, contrary to public policy, discriminatory contracts
Contracts contrary to statute (5 types)
Contract to commit a crime (if not crime at time entered -> terminated)
Ursury
Gambling
Blue laws
licensing statutes, dep on purpose of licensing statute
Usury
lender makes loan at interest rate above lawful max
gambling
creation of risk for the purpose of assuming it, only gambling contracts not allowed
blue laws
sunday laws
licensing statues
all states rq memebrs of certain professions to have licenses
contracts contrary to public policy (3 types)
contracts in restraint of trade
unconscionable contracts
exculpatory clauses
contracts in restraint of trade, exception + enforcement issues
anticompetitive agreements
- when reasonable and contain in ancillary clause in contract
covenant not to compete must be reasonable in duration and geographic restriction; contract reformation only when necessary to prevent undue burden/hardships
Kennedy v. Shave Barber Co.
Kennedy worked at shave shop, employment contract had covenant not to compete, but she broke