Chapter 14 Flashcards
Minors
Chronologically children under 18 and not emancipated
Emancipation
the act of removing minority status and is prescribed by statutes (get married before 18)
While a minor, parents have rights to…
earnings, control, etc.
Are parents liable for breaches of contracts entered into by a minor?
No
Are parents liable for torts by a minor?
No
Generally speaking, minors can…
enter into any contract that an adult can as long as it is not against the law for them.
Disaffirmance
Words or conduct can be used by minor to express intent not to be bound.
Minors may disaffirm contracts during…
minority and for a reasonable period of time after attaining the age of majority.
A minor who is exercising his or her right of disaffirmance must…
disaffirm the entire contract. (all in or all out)
The contract is voidable by the minor, but…
not by the adult.
Employment contract. 16 year old works for KFC. Policy – tell you as a new employee that you have to sign a contract forfeiting the right to sue. Girl is injured. Workers comp. Mom files a lawsuit
Girl “disaffirmed” the contract by quitting and filing a lawsuit.
Generally, if a minor disaffirms…
each party must make restitution by returning the consideration received from the other party.
What if goods minor has are gone or damaged when the Minor disaffirms? (Majority View)
minor must only return goods that are in minor’s possession or control. Even if goods are damaged, minor still has right to disaffirm. Most protective of the minor… but allows the minor to kind of take advantage of the adult.
What if goods minor has are gone or damaged when the Minor disaffirms? (Minority View)
if goods are damaged, the minor is required to compensate adult with a “reasonable” amount for the damages. The books calls this the “minor’s duty of restitution.” They don’t get all of their money back, they have to compensate the adult for the damages.
16 year old. Bought a used pick up truck with $5,000 cash. Truck has mechanical problems. He continues to drive it until it is pretty much no longer drivable. At that point he wants his money back.
In a majority view state…
he would get all of his money back. (after a lawsuit)
16 year old. Bought a used pick up truck with $5,000 cash. Truck has mechanical problems. He continues to drive it until it is pretty much no longer drivable. At that point he wants his money back.
In a minority view state…
he only gets SOME of his money back. He compensates the adult. The truck is only worth $500 after he continued to drive it. He get’s $500 only “compensating” the adult $4,500.
Exceptions to the Minor’s Right to Disaffirm
- In some states, if a minor has misrepresented his or her age in order to induce another person to enter into a contract, the minor may still disaffirm the contract.
- Other states have statues prohibiting minors who misrepresent their age from later disaffirming contracts.
Necessaries
food, clothing, shelters, medicine, services for the minor’s protection (ambulance, hospital, etc.)
Liability for Necessaries
Minor may disaffirm a contract for necessaries but is liable for the reasonable value of necessaries that were furnished to the minor.
Is insurance viewed as a necessary?
No
Ratification
Minor accepts legal responsibility under this contract.
A contract will be enforceable if the minor indicates an intention to be bound after…
reaching the age of majority
Express ratification
when the individual, on reaching the age of majority, states orally or in writing that he or she intends to be bound by the contract
Implied Ratification
when the minor, on reaching the age of majority, indicates an intent to abide by the contract
A parent is not liable for performance of a contract made by his or her minor child unless…
the parent personally obligated himself or herself as a party to the contract, or the contract was for necessaries which the parent failed to furnish.
Generally, parents are not liable for torts committed by their minor children, but may be liable for…
negligence in failing to exercise parental control over their minor children.
Who has the burden of proof in intoxication allegations?
The party alleging the intoxication
“Competency standard” Test the person has to pass
A contract is voidable if it was made by a person who was so intoxicated that his or her judgment was impaired and he or she did not comprehend the nature of the transaction and the legal consequences of entering into the contract.