Legal Question in Business Law in Montana

Verbal Agreements

My wife had a verbal agreement with our neighbors to buy a half of beef. The neighbor had the meat packers call her and my wife then specified the cuts to their questions. Then a dispute arose over the neighbors' daughter stealing from us and the lady came barging into our home without knocking and preceded to try and engage my wife in a fist fight. I decided at this point not to want any dealings with them and said I would not be buying the meat. My big question is this: Since my wife does not work and all income is mine, am I legally responsible to pay for the cost of having this meat cut and packaged?


Asked on 4/29/98, 1:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Sullivan Mark R. Sullivan - Attorney at Law

Contract for necessaries

Your wife entered into a contract for "necessaries of the family" and for that reason I would say that you are probably liable to perform under the verbal agreement. They must also perform. Even though your friendship may be going through a tough time, your wife still made a contract that is binding on both parties. This is the general rule. You could be sued if you or your wife did not pay for or take delivery of the beef. They could be liable if they did not perform, that is deliver the beef.

If we have not met face to face and agreed to my representation of you in a written agreement signed by both you and I, then I am not your lawyer. Any comments made here are not legal advice but presented in the spirit of this bulletin board as general information only.

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Answered on 5/20/98, 10:41 am


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