First Principles of Business Law

6.2. Contracts involving minors

Read the facts and the question and then choose the best answer.

A says: "I am a retailer of household goods. B, who is 17 years old, came into my shop last week saying she had left home and was setting up her own place. She wanted pots and pans, dishes, sheets and towels. All together, what she wanted came to $950. She did not have enough to pay for the goods, but I let her take them on the condition she would pay for them by the end of the week. But now she refuses to pay me and says that she has already lost, broken or ruined most of the things she bought. I want to enforce our agreement which I think was a legally binding contract. B refuses to pay me anything, saying she is too young to be legally bound by any agreement. Am I entitled to be paid for the goods I delivered to B?"

(a) Yes. A can enforce this contract with B even though B is only 17 years old.

(b) No. A cannot enforce this contract with B because B is only 17 years old.