Book Opener

CHAPTERASSESSMENTAcquiring and Evaluating InformationResearch the special statutory rules in yourstate regarding the capacity of minors to enterinto contracts. Find out whether a minor canenter into a contract:16. For car and/or life insurance.17. When it involves his or her own business.18. If married.19. To rent an apartment.Money MattersIt seems parents have many moreresponsibilities than rights when it comes totheir minor children. According to the law,parents are obligated to provide their minorchildren with all of the necessities of life.However, parents have the legal right to themoney their children earn.Debate20. Why do you think parents have this right?Do you think it’s fair? Explain your answer.For the following cases, give your decision andstate a legal principle that applies.21. Tom Molinero, 17, buys a car from ClydeTait for $1,500. Two weeks later, while stilla minor, Molinero is involved in anaccident that occurs because Tait neglectedto replace a faulty wire. The car is damagedbeyond repair. Molinero wants Tait toreturn the $1,500. Is Molinero entitled tothe money? Explain your answer.22. Max Fisher, 16, bought a used personalcomputer from an electronics store. Thebox the computer came in indicated that itcarried a 90-day manufacturer’s limitedwarranty. The computer stopped workingtwo months later. The clerk in theelectronics store tells Fisher that thewarranty applied only when the machinewas new and suggests that Fisher return itto the factory for repair. Is another remedyavailable to Fisher?23. Dana Niebuhr, 17, buys an electric guitar.She tells the owner of the shop that she is 19.Two months later she returns the guitarand demands the return of her money. Theowner refuses to comply. Can Niebuhravoid the contract? Explain your answer.24. Joel Petro, 17, operates a VCR repair business.He finds that he has ordered moresupplies for his business than he needs, sohe contacts one of his suppliers to cancelhis contract. The supplier refuses to cancelthe contract. What might Petro do?25. Two months before reaching the age ofmajority, Helen Smythe buys a motorcyclefor $3,000. Three years later, she seeks tovoid the contract, claiming that she was aminor at the time of the purchase. Is shelegally bound by the contract? Explainyour answer.26. Tina Kepler makes an agreement to purchasecertain clothes from a local departmentstore. Kepler has been declaredlegally insane, and a guardian has beenappointed to take care of her. Is the agreementbinding on Kepler? Why or why not?27. Marty Eng, 16, sells his car to Joseph Lutz,19, for $1,500. Two days later, Martychanges his mind. He asks Joseph to returnhis car and offers to refund the $1,500.Joseph refuses. Does Joseph have the legalright to do so? Explain your answer.160 Unit 2: Entering Into Contracts