Chapter 6: Contract Law Flashcards
What is a contract?
A legally enforceable agreement to do or not do a specific thing.
What is a contract to forbear?
a contract where one or both parties have agreed not to do some specific thing
How are contracts created?
- Expressed: Declare intentions orally or in writing
2. Implied: created by the behavior of the party
Unilateral vs. Bilateral Contracts
- Unilateral: only 1 party makes a promise
2. Bilateral: 2 parties make a promise (exchange of promises)
What is an executory vs. executed contract?
Executory: contract is in the process of being fulfilled
Executed: contract is fully performed
What is the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)?
a body of law relating to commercial transactions which make state laws uniform
covers personal property transactions and oral contracts
What is the Statue of Frauds?
requires that all contracts for the sale of land or any interest exceeding 1 year be in writing and signed by the parties to be enforceable
Leases for 1yr. or less are not required
What is a valid contract?
- complies with all essential elements of a contract
2. It is binding and enforcing on both parties
What is a void contract?
- Does not meet the essential elements of a contract
- It is illegal (Has no legal force)
- Ex. contract to commit a crime
What is a voidable contract?
- Seems to be valid on the surface but may be rescinded or disaffirmed by the party who might be “injured” if the contract were to be enforced.
- One or both parties may disaffirm
What is an unenforceable contract?
Has all elements of a valid contract; however, neither party can sue the other to force performance.
Something happens outside of the control of the parties requiring the contract to be unenforceable
Ex.: Someone no longer eligible for an FHA loan.
What are the 5 essential elements needed for a contract to be legally valid?
- Legally competent parties: Legal age
- Mutual agreement: Both agree not under duress, etc
- Lawful objective: For something legal
- Consideration or cause
- Contract in writing when required by law
What does it mean to be legally competent in a contract?
- Person must reach the age of majority
- Minors do not have contractual capabilities
- Minors can only enter contracts if it is for necessities (only exception)
- Minors have normally have “voidable” contracts
When are contracts valid or invalid due to intoxication?
- Voluntarily intoxication: Contract is valid
2. Involuntarily intoxicated: Contract can be cancelled
Unsound mind
- Anyone declared incompetent by a judge may not make a valid contract. Any attempt to do so would result in a (VOID contract).
- If a person is judged to be lucid upon entering into a contract, the contract remains valid he was later declared to be incompetent.
What is a Power of Attorney
A document that gives another person the power to act on one’s behalf
What is an “Attorney in Fact”
This is the person holding Power of Attorney
What is the equal dignities rule?
states that when a contract is to be put in writing, the authority of the agent must also be in writing, be acknowledged, and have equal dignity.
Corporations and contracts (Explain relationship)
- Corporations are considered legally competent
- Individuals from corporation must have permission from the “Board of Directors” to do contracting
- Some states require that the corporate seal be affixed to contract
- Partnership can contract in the name of the partnership or in the names of any of its general partners
- Courts allow executors, administrators, and trustees to contract