3 ms·

Broadly correct with the caveat that there are some restrictions on verbal contracts. For example, I cannot sell my house verbally. Or my car (unless it’s a rea

Broadly correct with the caveat that there are some restrictions on verbal contracts. For example, I cannot sell my house verbally. Or my car (unless it’s a really bad car).

0cf8612b2e1e 3y ago
>Or my car (unless it’s a really bad car). Is there a legal standard for this? I like to imagine a legal dispute in front of a judge if the vehicle in question is or is not a total POS that can be sold on the spot.
- rhino369 3y ago
  Most states have a maximum dollar value for verbal agreements for sale of goods.
- constantly 3y ago
  One of the major underlying restrictions is the (commonly known as) Statute of Frauds[1]. State law can supersede it as it is Common Law inherited from England (and therefore "default" law in USA where something doesn't supersede it), but most states either follow it or have state laws that copy it. From the link, the specifics it covers, that are required to be non-verbal are: * Any promises made in connection with marriage, including such gifts as an engagement ring. * Contracts that cannot be completed in less than one year. * Contracts for the sale of land—leases need not be covered unless they are for a year or more. * Promises to pay an estate’s debt from the personal funds of the executor. However, promises to pay such debt from the estate's funds are not subject to the statute of frauds. * Contracts for the sale of goods above a specific dollar amount, typically $500. * A contract in which one person promises to pay the debt of another person is considered a surety and is subject to the statute of frauds. So when I tongue in cheek reference a really bad car, I'm talking about a car whose value is under $500. :) [1] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statute-of-frauds.asp https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statute-of-frauds.asp
  - 0cf8612b2e1e 3y ago
    Ha, well there goes the elaborate scenario I had constructed in my head. Something where the legal argument would come down to debating if the stains in the backseat construed a POS where verbal contracts were binding. In today’s market, a $500 car would be truly awful.
User23 3y ago
In the USA most contracts are governed by state law so there’s probably some variation in what a verbal contract can and can’t do.

Broadly correct with the caveat that there are some restrictions on verbal contracts. For example, I cannot sell my house verbally. Or my car (unless it’s a really bad car).

0cf8612b2e1e 3y ago

>Or my car (unless it’s a really bad car). Is there a legal standard for this? I like to imagine a legal dispute in front of a judge if the vehicle in question is or is not a total POS that can be sold on the spot.

rhino369 3y ago
Most states have a maximum dollar value for verbal agreements for sale of goods.
constantly 3y ago
One of the major underlying restrictions is the (commonly known as) Statute of Frauds[1]. State law can supersede it as it is Common Law inherited from England (and therefore "default" law in USA where something doesn't supersede it), but most states either follow it or have state laws that copy it. From the link, the specifics it covers, that are required to be non-verbal are: * Any promises made in connection with marriage, including such gifts as an engagement ring. * Contracts that cannot be completed in less than one year. * Contracts for the sale of land—leases need not be covered unless they are for a year or more. * Promises to pay an estate’s debt from the personal funds of the executor. However, promises to pay such debt from the estate's funds are not subject to the statute of frauds. * Contracts for the sale of goods above a specific dollar amount, typically $500. * A contract in which one person promises to pay the debt of another person is considered a surety and is subject to the statute of frauds. So when I tongue in cheek reference a really bad car, I'm talking about a car whose value is under $500. :) [1] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statute-of-frauds.asp https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statute-of-frauds.asp
- 0cf8612b2e1e 3y ago
  Ha, well there goes the elaborate scenario I had constructed in my head. Something where the legal argument would come down to debating if the stains in the backseat construed a POS where verbal contracts were binding. In today’s market, a $500 car would be truly awful.

User23 3y ago

In the USA most contracts are governed by state law so there’s probably some variation in what a verbal contract can and can’t do.