People enter into contracts daily without even thinking about it—when we fill up with gas, go to the hairdresser, sign up for a gym membership, etc. 

So, what exactly is a contract? It’s an agreement between two or more parties: one party accepts what the other party has to offer, in exchange for something else. 

While a contract can be either written or verbal, the vast majority of contracts never get written down or accepted with a signature. Instead, accepting a contract is usually done by exchanging money for a product or service, like purchasing something from a store. But, when it comes to complex contracts that involve multiple terms and conditions, it’s best to get the agreement in writing. 

If you create or enter into a contract and want to be sure it’s legally enforceable, the contract must comply with several legal formalities in order to be valid. 

For instance, if you’re creating a Service Agreement, you must have all the basic elements of validity in place so you can successfully resolve any disputes that arise. Without a valid contract, you won’t be able to enforce any of its terms (such as receiving reimbursement for work-related expenses or retaining ownership of your intellectual property). 

In this post, we’ll explain the key elements that make up a valid agreement, the factors that make a contract void or voidable, and the steps you can take to carry out your contract correctly.

Read more: The Elements of a Valid Contract

The Basic Elements of a Valid Contract

Most contracts are routine and easily fulfilled. For instance, it’s implied that when you go to the hairdresser they’ll give you what you asked for, within reason, and won’t simply cut off all your hair (unless, of course, that’s what you’d asked for). 

It’s only when the terms of the contract become more detailed—and the contract is less routine—that people should write them down and indicate acceptance with a signature.

To create a valid, enforceable contract under state and federal laws, you must include the required elements.

  1. Offer and Acceptance: A contract must have an offer and acceptance. One party makes an offer (such as selling goods or services for a quoted price) and the other party accepts the terms of the offer (often by making a payment or by providing their signature in writing). 
  2. Legal Object: The object (i.e. the subject matter of the agreement) cannot be illegal; for instance, the law will not uphold an Employment Contract that requires someone to commit a crime, such as theft.
  3. The Capacity of Parties: The law uses age as a threshold for capacity, setting 18, 19, or 21 years as the age of adulthood. Once an adult, mental competence comes into play. The parties must demonstrate their legal capacity to enter into a contract; this means they have a complete understanding of the nature and effect of the contract. 
  4. Consideration: Consideration is a price or value that’s exchanged for an offer. Although it’s usually monetary, consideration can be any right, interest, or benefit—as long as there is an exchange of something of value. Notably, consideration doesn’t have to represent a ‘good deal’ for either or both parties; that is a matter of judgment for the parties entering into a contract.

What’s the Difference between Void and Voidable Contracts?

When a dispute arises between the parties to a contract, it’s up to a court to decide whether the contract is valid, void, or voidable. The main difference between void and voidable contracts is that a void contract is invalid from the beginning, while a voidable contract is initially valid but may become void later at the option of one of the parties.   

What Makes a Contract Void?

If a court or tribunal rules a contract void, it means the contract has no force or effect, so neither party is bound by it and neither party can rely on it. Usually, this is because: 

  • The object of the agreement is illegal or against public policy (unlawful consideration or subject matter) 
  • The terms of the agreement are impossible to fulfill or too vague to understand
  • There was a lack of consideration
  • Fraud (namely false representation of facts) has been committed

If an employee signs an Employment Contract and is then asked by their employer to perform an illegal job, such as smuggling prohibited goods across a border, the agreement is immediately void because the subject matter is against the law.

When is a Contract Voidable?

A voidable contract is a valid contract that is binding to only one party; the other party may choose to either reject or accept it.

A court or tribunal may rule a contract voidable under various circumstances, including:

  • A party was coercing or threatening the other party into signing the agreement
  • A party was under undue influence (one party dominated the will of another)
  • Mistakes are present in the contract that affect whether one or both parties can carry out their obligations
  • A party breaches the terms of the contract 

The party affected by the particular circumstance may choose to either set aside the contract or continue with it.

For instance, if you buy a brand-new vehicle from a car dealer and sign a Sales Agreement detailing the payment plan and warranties and later discover that the dealer sold you a used car instead, you are the party affected by the mistake and you can elect to void the contract. Alternately, you may decide that you got a good deal for the car and proceed with the agreement anyway. 

Read more: Can You Be Forced into Signing a Contract?

How to Review a Contract

Contracts can have serious financial and legal consequences. It’s important to evaluate an agreement carefully before you decide to enter into it. 

Whether you’re creating a contract or signing one, you can feel confident about the agreement by following these tips:

  1. Read the entire contract: Don’t just click “Accept” when you see those dreaded Terms and Conditions. Contracts can be lengthy and may include several complex clauses, but by taking the time to review its contents, you avoid missing any important information.
  2. Be clear with descriptions: The terms of the contract, including the offer, must be clear and specific. When selling a vehicle, for example, there should be a detailed description of it (including the make, model, year, etc.).
  3. Understand and clarify: Make the effort to understand your role in the contract. If there are any phrasings, definitions, or terms that you’re unclear on, be sure to ask questions. You should also ensure the other party to the contract is also clear on the terms of the agreement.
  4. Write it down: While oral contracts may be valid, written contracts are much easier to enforce because they provide solid evidence of the agreed terms. Plus, written contracts serve as helpful guidelines for actions such as payments or services that both parties may refer to throughout the life of their agreement. 
  5. Pay attention to acceptance details: If there is an acceptance date on the contract, make sure to accept or reject the offer before its expiration. 
  6. Know who you are dealing with: Whether you are leasing a property, entering into a partnership, or simply buying or selling an item, you should always confirm the other party’s identity before signing anything. 

Think Before You Sign

Having an idea of the basic elements of a valid contract is a step towards avoiding legal disputes when you enter into a contract. Read reviews, take referrals from people you know and trust, and inform yourself of the basics of any relevant law before you go into a contract.

If you end up in a contractual dispute, consult with a contract lawyer for guidance. 

Create your free business document

Posted by LawDepot

The LawDepot Team consists of professional writers and editors with years of experience researching and writing about a variety of legal topics. LawDepot’s in-house legal team reviews all law-related content to ensure the information we provide is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

36 Comments

  1. […] in the form of money, but it can also include land or other property, or an exchange involving a “right, interest, or benefit.” A contract also needs to be consistent with a few other legal stipulations: First, it needs to be […]

  2. Would our Birth Certificates be considered a Contract?

  3. Hi there,

    A birth certificate documents the birth of a child. It does not contain all the basic elements of a valid contract.

  4. Funk'N'Soul Function Band August 16, 2017 at 11:02 am

    In contract law, if a contract runs out but is then charged and paid for 6 months later. Does the original contract and it’s content still stand?
    Thank you.

  5. Hi there, we recommend contacting a local attorney with your specific question as we cannot offer legal advice. Thank you!

  6. Hi.. is the contract legal if the other party signature appear in photocopy only??

  7. Hi Mimi, please refer to this article for more information: https://www.lawdepot.com/law-library/faq/legal-faq/#question1_0 or consult with a lawyer directly for guidance. Thank you.

  8. We entered into a contract with a pest contol service 100% guranteed but 3 attempts on first spraying didn’t work at all, they came back three times with no results. Same amount of mosquitoes and bugs. Is the contract null and void.

  9. Hi David, you may want to consider contacting a local attorney to review your contract, including any clauses regarding termination. Thank you.

  10. If a car loan company changes the due date without a new contract, does that voids the old contract.

  11. If you break a term of a contract because the other person verbally ok’d it, can they come after you a year later after allowing and fully knowing about the breech? Or is that term void?

  12. Hi Monta, the following article discusses minor vs. major contract modifications: https://contracts.lawyers.com/contracts-basics/contract-modification.html. For more information, please contact a local attorney. Thank you.

  13. Hi Betty, please refer to the following article for information about making verbal changes to a written agreement: https://www.priorilegal.com/blog/oral-contract-modifications-what-to-know-when-making-changes-to-existing-agreements or consult with an attorney for advice on your specific situation.

  14. Hi please what are some of the factors that will disqualify a person from entering into a contract

  15. Hi Emmanuel, as stated in the blog post, parties must be of sound mind, over the age of 18, and freely agree/consent to the terms in order to enter into a contract.

  16. If you ask someone a specific question and he verbally lies, but you sign the contract based on that misrepresentation, is it a voidable contract? The contract is not clear on the question.

  17. Hi Maria, you can refer to the following article for more information about misrepresentation: https://lawshelf.com/courseware/entry/misrepresentation-nondisclosure-duress-and-undue-influence including the example given. Unfortunately, we are not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. Please contact a local attorney for advice regarding your specific situation. Thank you.

  18. So if both parties fail to comply with the terms of the contract, is it void or can a party still be punished?

  19. If a person does not speak or read English and signs a contract written in English can it be void?

  20. Hi Tori, we recommend contacting a local attorney for advice related to your situation. Thank you.

  21. Hi Ana, we cannot offer legal advice and recommend that you consult with a local attorney for the answer to your question. Thank you!

  22. If you have a contract can they come up with other things and it’s not in the contract

  23. Hi Maria, you may want to review your contract for any clauses regarding modifications or amendments, or refer to this article for more information: https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/business-law/business-law-basics/contract-modification.html If you require legal advice, please contact an attorney in your area. Thank you.

  24. If you have a contract can they write up another piece of paper and say that’s a part of the contract

  25. Hi I have a question what can I do when someone else sign a contract with my name and I didn’t give them the permission??

  26. Hi Laura, you can refer to the following article for more information: https://www.sapling.com/10004817/somebody-signs-signature-you or contact legal counsel for advice regarding your situation. Thank you.

  27. Hi, I signed a contract which stated I cannot take annual leave during certain months of the year. My position within the company changed and I was given another contract. I have not signed the new contract as yet. Is the clause of when I can/cannot take annual leave still valid as in the first contract?

  28. Hi Laetitia, you may want to contact a lawyer directly for an answer to your question. We are not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. Thank you.

  29. Can a company hold you to a contract that you never signed. The retailer before me signed a contract with a cleaning service company, when I tried to cancel the service they told I couldn’t as the contract
    Is for that site. I never signed the contract and would never have as their fees are very expensive.

  30. Hi Nancy, unfortunately we cannot provide legal advice on your situation. You may wish to consult with a lawyer or your commercial landlord if you are a business tenant for more information. Thank you.

  31. Is a contract valid if the identifying information of one of the parties is incorrect? My boyfriend and I had an internet contract (in his name with his passport number), and they are saying that we owe them money because we never cancelled it; however, when we called to cancel it, they couldn’t find any information about the contract in their system (it was a 12-month contract, so we just assumed that, after 12 months, it expired, especially since they no longer had the information in the system). However, since they are now trying to claim more money, we have found out through the debt collection company that they have the incorrect passport number on the contract, which is why they couldn’t find the information when we called. As such, we’re wondering if they even have a legal leg to stand on because the identifying information in the contract is incorrect. Just to be clear, the reason that we couldn’t cancel the contract was because THEY put the wrong information on the contract, and, therefore, couldn’t find the information in their system to cancel it when we gave their customer service line the CORRECT identifying information. Thanks for any help you can give us!

  32. Does an incorrect date on a contract void the contract?

  33. Hi Christina, sorry to hear about your situation. We wish we could provide more assistance, but unfortunately we are not a law firm and cannot offer legal advice. It’s recommended you speak to a lawyer in your area, or you can refer to this article for more information: https://gowlingwlg.com/en/insights-resources/articles/2015/back-to-basics-what-to-do-if-document-execution

  34. Hi Bec, you may want to contact a lawyer for an answer to your question, or you can review this article about contract mistakes for more information: https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=43434

  35. dylan rollins May 4, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    If a consumer knowingly signed a contract with an invalid name, would that make it impossible to enforce the contract on them?

  36. Hi Dylan, if you’re unsure about the validity of a signature or contract, it’s best to contact a lawyer near you for advice on your situation. Thank you.

Comments are closed.