Statute of Frauds - Ch. 8 Flashcards
6 types of contracts that must be in writing accords to statutes of frauds
- Marriage - promises in anticipation of
- Year - cannot be performed within one
- Land - real estate contracts
- Estate debts - promises by an executor to pay
- Goods over $500 - sales of (UCC rule)
- Suretyship
a promise or order to pay, such as a check; can be passed along like cash (must be in writing per UCC)
negotiable instrument
interest in personal property to secure performance of an obligation; evidence of indebtedness (must be in writing per UCC)
security interest
Courts like to take agreements out of S of F territory. Most courts hold that if the Statute of Frauds is not raised as an (1), or if the party admitted in (2) or (3) that there is an agreement, it is waived. The Statute may not be raised after the contract has been (4) and may not be raised in some cases if (5). (6) may also excuse the need for writing.
- affirmative defense
- court
- court documents
- fully performed
- one party has performed
- Conduct consistent with existence of a contract
Unenforceability due to Statute of Frauds does not preclude enforceability due to (1) and (2)
- quasi-contract
2. promissory estoppel
claims have been abandoned
waived
Written evidence need only amount to an acknowledgment of agreement by the (1). The written evidence does not have to be a (2) or even an (3) of the agreement.
- party “to be charged” (party trying to get out of the contract)
- formal contract
- integrated statement (intended to be complete and final)
agreement used in connection with software licenses; often found on the Internet as part of the installation process of software packages; usually requires the user to manifest assent by clicking “OK” button on a dialog box or pop-up window
click-wrap agreement
agreement in anticipation of marriage that typically involves a promise to convey property when marriage iccurs or concerns division of property in the event of a divorce (must be in writing per S of F)
Prenuptial/antenuptial
The “within a year” requirement does not apply if the contract is (1) within this time, regardless of whether performance is (2) or (3) within a year. Also unimportant is whether performance within a year actually (4). Promises with (5) and promises with (6), on of which can be performed in a year, are not subject to the requirement. The time requirement is also based from time of (7), not from when performance begins.
- performable
- likely
- anticipated
- occurs
- uncertain duration
- alternatives (e.g., restitution per year–but it is possible the person may die within the year)
- agreement (2014 agreement to speak at Yale in 2016–subject to requirement)
5 types of real estate transactions, all of which must be in writing
- real estate sales
- leases
- mortgages
- options on land
- easements (limited right to use real property)
The UCC’s “$500 or more” requirement does not apply to (1).
services
4 exceptions to the UCC’s “$500 or more” requirement
- goods specificlally manufactured for buyer, not suitable for sales to others + seller has made a substantial commitment
- party “trying to get out of it” admits in court agreement was made
- good have been received and accepted
- payment has been accepted
promise to guarantee the debt of another, made without benefit to the party making the promise (must be in writing–covers Estate and Suretyships of MYLEGS)
collateral promise
liable for the payment of another’s debt or the performance of another’s obligation
surety
agrees to be responsible for another’s debt or perofrmance under a contract if the other fails to pay or perform (under a surety)
guarantor
3 possible exceptions to the suretyship writing requirement
- cosigner instead of guarantor (equally liable instead of agreeing only if primary defaults)
- promise to other signer to pay if he can’t (instead of to lender)
- equal benefit or more benefit for guarantor (Dad acts as surety for son on car but uses the car as much as he does)
fail the meet obligations
default
one who participates jointly in borrowing
cosigner
The E in MYLEGS regards someone responsible for carrying on the (1) of another, or the (2) of a deceased person. To take on the deceased’s (3) requires writing under S of F.
- estate
- finances
- debt
one who conducts the business of an estate (3 terms)
- executor
- personal representative
- administrator
the entity for managing finances of a deceased person or an incompetent
estate