Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

juvenile contract

In virginia if an adolecsent signs a contract and miss represents their age, can they be held responsible for the contract. example; girl says she's 23, buys a car, wrecks, trys to get out of contract based on the fact she really is only 17 yrs old? Is she liable to up hold the contract?


Asked on 3/28/05, 4:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: juvenile contract

If the minor deliberately and knowingly falsified her age on the contract which she signed, she would be "equitably estopped" as they say in the law from later seeking the cover of the law which allows such minors to disaffirm such contracts.

In other words, yeah, she's probably stuck with her original lie(s)which most likely misled the other party to the belief that she was legally competent to enter into the contract and would therefore now owe the money which the other party is now claiming.

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Answered on 3/28/05, 4:27 pm
Jonathon Moseley Jonathon A. Moseley

Re: juvenile contract

There may also be a claim of "fraud in the inducement." A minor cannot enter into a contract. However, a claim of fraud in the inducement is not based upon contract, and is not limited by age.

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Answered on 3/28/05, 10:39 pm


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