Key Terms Flashcards
A voluntary agreement or promise between legally competent parties, supported by legal consideration, to perform (or refrain from performing) some legal act.
Contract
The general body of law that governs contracts is called…
Contract law
An express contract is also called…
an express agreement
A(n) ___ contract exists when the parties state the terms and show their intentions in words.
Express
An express contract may be ___ or ___.
Oral or written
The part of a state law that requires certain instruments, such as deeds, real estate sales contracts, and certain leases, be in writing to be legally enforceable
Statute of frauds
Under the statute of frauds, certain types of contracts must be ___ to be enforceable in a court of law.
in writing
Contract where the agreement of parties is demonstrated by their acts and conduct
Implied Contract
If a buyer signs an offer to purchase a house for $350,000 and the seller signs the contract in agreement, this is a(n) ___ contract.
Express
When a diner orders a meal in a restaurant, they have entered a(n) ___ contract with the restaurant to pay for the meal, even though payment was not mentioned before the meal was ordered.
Implied
Illinois state law that requires any contracts for the sale of land, or for leases that will not be fulfilled within one year from the date they are entered into, must be in writing to be enforceable in court.
Illinois Frauds Act
In a(n) ___ contract, both parties promise to do something
Bilateral
In a(n) ___ contract, one promise is given in exchange for another
Bilateral
A real estate sales contract is a(n) ___ contract because the seller promises to sell a parcel of real estate and convey property title to the buyer, and the buyer in turn promises to pay a certain sum of money for the proeprty.
Bilateral
A(n) ___ contract is a one-sided agreement
Unilateral
In a(n) ___ contract, one party makes a promise to induce a second party to do something.
Unilateral
In a(n) ___ contract, the second party is not legally obligated to act, however if they do not comply, the first party is obligated to keep the promise.
Unilateral
An option contract to retain one’s option to possibly make a purchase later is an example of a(n) ___ contract
Unilateral
In Illinois, an exclusive right-to-sell listing agreement is considered to be a(n) ___ contract.
Bilateral
In Illinois, an open listing agreement is a(n) ___ contract.
Unilateral
A(n) ___ contract is one in which all parties have fulfilled their promises and the contract has been performed.
Executed
A(n) ___ contract exists when one or both parties still have an act to perform.
Executory
A sales contract is a(n) ___ contract from the time it is signed until closing.
Executory
A sales contract is ___ at closing.
Executed
“Meeting of the minds” refers to which 2 essential components of a valid contract?
Offer and acceptance
The person who makes an offer
Offeror
The person who accepts or rejects an offer
Offeree
Complete agreement about the purpose and terms of a contract
Mutual Assent
Mutual Assent refers to…
offer and acceptance
A promise made by one party, requesting something in exchange for that promise.
Offer
A new offer made in response to an offer received
Counteroffer
A(n) ___ has the effect of rejecting the original offer, which cannot be accepted thereafter unless revived by the offeror.
Counteroffer
If a seller agrees to the original offer or a later counteroffer exactly as it is made and signs the document, the offer has been ___.
Accepted
An offer may be terminated either by ___ or ___.
Counteroffer or rejection
A contract must be based on ___, which is something of legal value offered by one party and accepted by another as an inducement to perform or to refrain from performing some act.
Consideration
There must be a definite statement of ___ in a contract to show that something of value was given or promised in exchange for the other party’s promise.
consideration
Anything that has been bargained for and exchanged is legally sufficient to satisfy the requirement for ___.
Consideration
To satisfy the requirement for consideration, all parties must ___ and no undue influence or fraud occurred.
agree
All parties to a contract must be of legal age and have enough mental capacity to understand the nature or consequences of their actions in a contract. This is because all parties must have ___.
legal capacity
Under the doctrine of ___, a contract must be entered into as the free and voluntary act of each party.
Reality of consent
Under the reality of consent doctrine, each party must be able to make a prudent and knowledgeable decision without ___.
Undue influence
A mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, or duress deprives a person of what ablility?
Consent
If there is a circumstance of mistake, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, or duress, the contract is ___ by the injured party.
Voidable
A contract must be for a(n) ___.
Legal purpose
A contract for an illegal purpose or an act against public policies is not ___.
Valid
A(n) ___ contract meets all the essential elements that make it legally sufficient or enforceable and is binding in a court of law.
Valid
A(n) ___ contract has no legal force or effect because it lacks some or all of the essential elements of a contract. It was never a legal contract.
Void
A(n) ___ contract appears on the surface to be valid, but may be rescinded or disaffirmed by one or both parties based on some legal principle.
Voidable
If a voidable contract is not ___, it may end up being executed.
disaffirmed
A(n) ___ contract is considered by the courts to be valid if the party who has the option to disaffirm the agreement does not do so within a period of time prescribed by state law.
Voidable
A(n) ___ contract may seem on the surface to be valid, however neither party can sue the other to force performance.
Unenforceable
A contract may be ___ if it is not in writing, as may be required under the statute of frauds.
Unenforceable