There are numerous reasons why legal contracts may be found invalid by a court. One of the reasons is that a party is not old enough to sign a legal contract. In Georgia, signatories to a contract must be at least 18 years of age.
If a minor signs a business contract, they actually have some degree of control about whether it will be performed. They can choose to honor the contract or void it. The minor can even disaffirm the contract verbally by stating that they will not honor it. They do not even need a reason for canceling the contract other than the fact that they are not of legal age.
However, the minor must either set aside the contract in its entirety or perform it completely. They cannot pick and choose the parts of the contract that they will honor. In addition, they may not be able to void the contract if they have already performed it for some time. Their decision to set aside the contract must come relatively soon after signing it.
The only way that a contract with someone under the age of 18 can be truly enforceable in Georgia is if the parent signs the contract on the minor’s behalf. Before signing a business contract, you should verify that the counterparty is above the age of majority. Otherwise, you could find yourself in for an unpleasant surprise. If you are below 18 and want to enter into a deal, make sure to enlist your parents beforehand.
Contact an Atlanta Business Attorney Today
Battleson Law LLC works with parties to a contract, helping them draft and review potential agreements to obtain the highest degree of legal protection. To learn how we can help you, contact us online or call us at 470.766.0811.