Would a private Contract between three people be legally binding? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice Johnson · 07-30-2023, 11:17 AM

So, let's just say that a guy named Alex had his friend named Andy try to use him for $5,000. Alex's other friend, Billy, was appalled by Andy and gave Andy $5,000. Later, Alex found out that Andy tried to use him for $5,000 and felt betrayed understandably. Andy told him he was sorry and Alex drew up a Contract that stated Andy was NEVER to try to use ANYONE for money again. Andy read, understood, agreed, and signed. Alex signed too and Billy signed as Witness. Is this legally binding since it was done with just them three?

Caroline13 · 07-30-2023, 01:18 PM

I can't see that there is anything legal about this agreement. Maybe some legal begals here see something I don't get.

PaperClips · 07-30-2023, 02:34 PM

You keep using the word "used"

Unless they were mentally incompetent, if they all knew what they were doing and signed it is binding.

You can literally sign on anything as long as everyone knows what they are doing it is legal

Source: worked in law.

"Alex" should probably get a lawyer to see exactly what he signed.

ThisLittlePiggy · 07-30-2023, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice Johnson

So, let's just say that a guy named Alex had his friend named Andy try to use him for $5,000. Alex's other friend, Billy, was appalled by Andy and gave Andy $5,000. Later, Alex found out that Andy tried to use him for $5,000 and felt betrayed understandably. Andy told him he was sorry and Alex drew up a Contract that stated Andy was NEVER to try to use ANYONE for money again. Andy read, understood, agreed, and signed. Alex signed too and Billy signed as Witness. Is this legally binding since it was done with just them three?

The first thing that comes to mind is, you need to be much more specific when it comes to the law. Not knowing how this person was "used" already makes this impossible to answer. Care to elaborate?

The second thing that comes to mind is, are you asking if they needed a lawyer to sign it to make it binding?

Janice Johnson · 07-31-2023, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline13

I can't see that there is anything legal about this agreement. Maybe some legal begals here see something I don't get.

It's confusing because there wasn't a Lawyer involved in the signed Contract. Andy tried to call the police on Alex who committed two crimes, Assault and damage of property. Alex had been hiding in Billy and Andy's house as a Fugitive, and there was a $5,000 Bounty to turn in Alex. Alex said to Billy, we should turn in Alex for that $5,000 bond. Get paid to get rid of our problem." Billy was appalled that Andy wanted to sell out their friend for $5,000 and Billy Zelled Andy the $5,000. Alex later found out that Andy tried to sell him out for $5,000 and was hurt understandably, Andy apologized and Alex had Andy sign a Contract stating that he's NEVER going to sell anyone out ever again.. Alex signed too. Billy signed as witness. There was no Lawyer involved, so is a private Contract between three people with no lawyer present legally binding?

stevea · 07-31-2023, 12:43 PM

Did you mean to say, Andy said to Billy?

It's a confusing story. "Andy tried to call the police." What happened, Alex stopped him somehow? Or Andy figured out they could be in trouble for harboring a fugitive?

Also I'm not understanding why Billy would Zell Andy $5000.

Caroline13 · 07-31-2023, 02:19 PM

An agreement between friends to my knowledge has been called a Gentlemen's Agreement, otherwise Legal people need to be involved to be legal. Why do you think there is the law world.

ThisLittlePiggy · 07-31-2023, 04:04 PM

Okay, well, people can enter into contracts without using a lawyer. However, contract law would need to be followed or it would be invalid. There must be money or a promise exchanged usually, something of value. Also, the contract cannot be to do anything illegal.

PaperClips · 07-31-2023, 04:24 PM

An Agreement Can Be Signed on Anything Between 2 People and Be Legally Binding. Good Lord. Go Through Law School and then give me your Opinion.

Voice agreements never hold up in Court. You need it on Paper - some kind of Paper or at least an e-mail or text.

Having said that, ALWAYS get it on paper and have someone unrelated Notarize it.

Janice Johnson · 07-31-2023, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Did you mean to say, Andy said to Billy?

It's a confusing story. "Andy tried to call the police." What happened, Alex stopped him somehow? Or Andy figured out they could be in trouble for harboring a fugitive?

Also I'm not understanding why Billy would Zell Andy $5000.

Andy tried to call the police on Alex for being a Fugitive, because Andy wanted to get the $5,000. Billy was appalled and Zelled Andy $5,000 so that Andy wouldn't turn in Alex for that $5,000. Kind of like if your friend owed a Loan Shark $30,000, but doesn't have it, so you pay the loan shark $30,000 on your Friend's behalf..

07-30-2023, 11:17 AM	#1
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,738	Would a private Contract between three people be legally binding? So, let's just say that a guy named Alex had his friend named Andy try to use him for $5,000. Alex's other friend, Billy, was appalled by Andy and gave Andy $5,000. Later, Alex found out that Andy tried to use him for $5,000 and felt betrayed understandably. Andy told him he was sorry and Alex drew up a Contract that stated Andy was NEVER to try to use ANYONE for money again. Andy read, understood, agreed, and signed. Alex signed too and Billy signed as Witness. Is this legally binding since it was done with just them three?

07-30-2023, 01:18 PM	#2
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	I can't see that there is anything legal about this agreement. Maybe some legal begals here see something I don't get.
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07-30-2023, 02:34 PM	#3
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	You keep using the word "used" Unless they were mentally incompetent, if they all knew what they were doing and signed it is binding. You can literally sign on anything as long as everyone knows what they are doing it is legal Source: worked in law. "Alex" should probably get a lawyer to see exactly what he signed.

07-31-2023, 12:43 PM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,532	Did you mean to say, Andy said to Billy? It's a confusing story. "Andy tried to call the police." What happened, Alex stopped him somehow? Or Andy figured out they could be in trouble for harboring a fugitive? Also I'm not understanding why Billy would Zell Andy $5000.

07-31-2023, 02:19 PM	#7
Caroline13 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jan 30, 2021 Location: So Calif Posts: 14,483	An agreement between friends to my knowledge has been called a Gentlemen's Agreement, otherwise Legal people need to be involved to be legal. Why do you think there is the law world.

07-31-2023, 04:04 PM	#8
ThisLittlePiggy Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Nov 02, 2013 Posts: 83,975	Okay, well, people can enter into contracts without using a lawyer. However, contract law would need to be followed or it would be invalid. There must be money or a promise exchanged usually, something of value. Also, the contract cannot be to do anything illegal.

07-31-2023, 04:24 PM	#9
PaperClips Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2021 Posts: 316	An Agreement Can Be Signed on Anything Between 2 People and Be Legally Binding. Good Lord. Go Through Law School and then give me your Opinion. Voice agreements never hold up in Court. You need it on Paper - some kind of Paper or at least an e-mail or text. Having said that, ALWAYS get it on paper and have someone unrelated Notarize it.