16 Year Old - Contracts & Signatures

[AlexT92]

North Carolina

If a sixteen year old signs a contract, it is not legally binding. If he signs it with the co-signature of a person of the age of majority, does that make it legally binding?

Also, if a sixteen year old signs a piece of paper, and the piece of paper states that by signing it, he is confessing to a crime, whether or not it's legally binding, will it hold up in court as a confession?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
~Alex

 

[Isis1]

North Carolina

If a sixteen year old signs a contract, it is not legally binding. If he signs it with the co-signature of a person of the age of majority, does that make it legally binding?

Also, if a sixteen year old signs a piece of paper, and the piece of paper states that by signing it, he is confessing to a crime, whether or not it's legally binding, will it hold up in court as a confession?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
~Alex

what class is this for?

 

[Zigner]

what class is this for?

It doesn't matter - the only correct answer is "maybe"

 

[AlexT92]

Class?

Either way, I have a friend who stole my iPod touch. I know that he did it, because he confessed to a mutual friend. Either way, I've drawn up a temporary employment contract, and am going to offer him a chance to work off his debt, in lieu of law enforcement being involved. In the contract, it includes a section that states that by signing the contract, he admits of his own free will that he stole the property, and can be held responsible for that action, should the contracted work not be completed.

 

[Zigner]

I would never sign such a document...even at 16.

 

[AlexT92]

I didn't ask you if you would.

 

[Just Blue]

I didn't ask you if you would.

I will advise you to bring the "contract" to an attorney to find out if it is LEGALLY binding.

 

[Zigner]

I didn't ask you if you would.

Nope, but what you DID ask can only be answered with *maybe* - so be off with you!

 

[AlexT92]

I came here to ask for advice from people whom I assumed to be knowledgeable, not to be trolled and criticized.

All I want is an answer to my questions.

By the way, I assure you that it would be legally binding.

 

[Just Blue]

I came here to ask for advice from people whom I assumed to be knowledgeable, not to be trolled and criticized.

All I want is an answer to my questions.

By the way, I assure you that it would be legally binding.

If a legal child is involved you can't know that it would be binding. Take it to an attorney to assist you.

 

[AlexT92]

Alright. Thank you.

 

[Zigner]

Alright. Thank you.

You're welcome for the legally accurate advice you received. Specifically, that the only answer we can give you is MAYBE

 

[Isis1]

Class?

Either way, I have a friend who stole my iPod touch. I know that he did it, because he confessed to a mutual friend. Either way, I've drawn up a temporary employment contract, and am going to offer him a chance to work off his debt, in lieu of law enforcement being involved. In the contract, it includes a section that states that by signing the contract, he admits of his own free will that he stole the property, and can be held responsible for that action, should the contracted work not be completed.

so you want to bring child labor laws into this?

report the kid for the item stolen. inform the parents and sue the child/parents for the cost of the item.

 

[Proserpina]

so you want to bring child labor laws into this?

report the kid for the item stolen. inform the parents and sue the child/parents for the cost of the item.

I'm also wondering if the "If you fail to do X, we'll get the cops involved" may fall under extortion, too...

 

[CdwJava]

Would it be a legally binding contract? No.

Would it be sufficient to serve as probable cause to believe the other child stole the iPod? Sure.

Have you obtained the device back?

Understand, however, that you may also be signing such a document the other person might admit to petty theft (maybe burglary if they entered a structure with the intent to steal it), but you might be confessing to extortion. And, this might effectively remove the theft from the realm of the criminal courts to the realm of the civil courts. If the other party fails to follow through with your "contract" then you may have to use that document as evidence against her in small clams court.