Contracts: Statute of Frauds

Most oral contracts are enforceable. Only certain kinds of contracts have to be evidenced by a writing in order to be enforced. (those contracts are within the statute of frauds).

MY LEGS
  • Marriage - a promise the consideration for which is marriage (unless the promise is 1 of 2 mutual promises to marry each other) such as a promise by A to pay $10,000 to B if B marries C.
  • Year - a promise that cannot possibly be fully performed within 1 year, such as a promise by A to employ B for 5 years.
  • Land - a promise to buy or sell land
  • Executor - a promise by an executor to pay the debts of the decedent's estate out of the executor's own pocket, such as a promise by executor A to pay B a debt owed to B by decedent C's estate
  • Goods for $500 or more - a promise to buy or sell goods for a price of $500 more more
  • Suretyship - a promise made by a surety to a creditor to pay a debt that a debtor owes the creditor, such as a promise by A to pay C a debt that B owes C.