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Contracting with Minors

By Michael L. Bloom, Mark McLoughlin, Tim Cross and Elizabeth Beitler

One of the fundamental principles of U.S. contract law is that a party must have the capacity to enter into a contract in order to be bound. Minors, as a general rule, lack this capacity. As a result, any contract made with a minor might not be enforceable. Yet in certain circumstances, contracts with minors are commonplace. For instance, in the entertainment industry, child actors frequently are asked to sign a variety of contracts. The following identifies some risks, some mitigating solutions and the limitations of those solutions when contracting with a minor.

When Will U.S. Courts Enforce Contracts With Minors?

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