Consideration
Chp. 8
1. Definition of consideration:
Example: I promise to clean your car in exchange for your promise to drive me to work all week.
2. Requirement of Consideration
Each party must make a promise, perform an act, or forbear (refrain from doing something).
Each party’s promise, act, or forbearance must be in exchange for a return promise, act, or forbearance by the other party.
What each party exchanges must have legal value, that is, it must be worth something in the eyes of the law.
Gifts
3. A gift is a transfer of ownership without receiving anything in return. A promise to make a gift generally is not legally enforceable.
4. Only after a donor (the person giving the gift) intentionally transfers the gift to the donee (the person receiving the gift) and the donee accepts it does the transaction become legally binding.
5. Forbearance; 6. Benefits and Detriments
Example: You lost your job and are unable to make your house payment. The bank allows you to enter into a forbearance agreement to temporarily stop making payments, or make smaller payments, until you find a new job.
6.A benefit is something that a party was not previously entitled to receive. A detriment is any loss suffered.
Example: I give you $500 in exchange for the cell phone you are selling.
Cell phone is my benefit (the thing I’m gaining). The detriment is the $500 I’m paying.
7. Types of Consideration
Money - one party will offer money in exchange for another party's promise or performance
Property or Services - barter agreements involving goods and services rather than money
A Promise Not to Sue - one party has the right to sue another party but gives up that right in exchange for something of value (should sign a release).
Charitable Pledges - If you promise to donate to an organization you must do so as they depend on that donation. The court enforces these as if they are contracts.
8. Disputes can be settled by Accord and Satisfaction
*Creditor accepts a payment that is less than the amount due as full payment.
Accord = acceptance by creditor of less than billed amount
Satisfaction = agreed to settlement amount
Agreements without Consideration
Promises Under Seal
Seal - mark or an impression placed on a written contract indicating it was executed (signed) and accepted in a formal manner
Promises After Discharge in Bankruptcy
Court hearings must be held when someone has agreed to reaffirm a debt discharged in bankruptcy to prevent abuse by creditors who might pressure debtors into making such promises.
Debts Barred by Statutes of Limitations
9. Statute of limitation - Establishes the time frame within which a party is allowed to bring suit. (different state set different times)
10. Promises Enforced by Promissory Estoppel
Promissory Estoppel is a promise that may be enforceable without consideration (used to prevent injustice when a person changes his position significantly based on another person’s promise)
Example: Bob promised you a job in Texas. Based on this promise you quit your current job and move to Texas. When you arrive there is no job available. (You relied on his promise and believed his promise)
Three Elements of Promissory Estoppel
1. The promise must be made to bring about action or forbearance by another person who gave no consideration.
2. The one who gave no consideration must have relied on the promise and changed his or her position in a significant way.
3. Injustice can be avoided only by enforcing the agreement.Unenforceable Agreements Without Consideration
*There are promises that courts will not enforce.
11. Illusory promises - they appear to be contracts but really aren’t…both parties must be under obligation to do something
Example: You promise to complete any work a business may need during the next year…the business never needed any work so you did not receive any payment
12. Past consideration - consideration that took place in the past or that is given for something that has already been done is not regarded as legal by the courts
Example: fixing someone’s car and then the next day telling them they owe you money for fixing the car….nothing agreed upon before the repairs, cannot demand payment later
13. Pre-existing duty: a person is already under legal obligation to do something, cannot promise to do that same thing as consideration for a contract
Example: police officer cannot ask for payment (or demand payment that was offered) for patrolling a neighborhood…they are already expected to do so
Promises to Attend a Social Engagement
Would not be legally binding because there’s nothing given in exchange for a promise to attend a social engagement.
Example: You can’t sue your friend if they don’t come to your party but said they would.Teacher Watkins Memorial High School