Sandy Sandfort wrote:
C'punks,
At 11:11 AM 6/4/96 -0400, Perry E. Metzger wrote:
...I get the impression that under the common law, an ink signature is merely a demonstration that a party assented to a contract, and except for certain contracts (which usually require witnesses etc.) there is no requirement in the law that a contract even be on paper...
The "Statute of Frauds" lists the exceptions and they cover most important contracts. I seem to recall that contracts over a given amount or for interests in real property for periods of a year or more are covered. I'm sure someone with current access to legal research resources will post a better explanation.
[I AM NOT A LAWYER] The following contracts are required to be in writing, in most states: 1. A contract of an executor or administrator to answer for a duty of the decedent (the executor-administrator provision). 2. A contract to answer for debt or default of another (the suretyship provision). 3. A contract made upon consideration of marriage (the marriage provision). 4. A contract for sale of goods worth more than $500 (the sales provision). 5. A contract for sale of an interest in land (the land provision). 6. A contract not preformable within a year (the one-year provision). - Igor.