Contingent contracts to do or not to do anything if an uncertain future event happens cannot be enforced by law unless and until that event has happened. If the event becomes impossible, such contracts become void.
A contingent contract is a legal agreement in which the terms and conditions only apply or take effect if a specific event occurs. Essentially, the parties involved agree to perform actions or obligations based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a particular event in the future.
Example of a Contingency Contract One straightforward example might be a child who agrees with their parent that if they get an A in a particular class, they will get a new bicycle. Of course, the contract may be verbal, and it may be between family members.
The most common contingency is the home inspection contingency. This condition on an offer states the home sale will only be finalized if the property passes a professional home inspection. In other words, buyers can walk away from a home sale if the home inspection turns up serious problems.
A void contract is a contract that isn't legally enforceable, starting from the time it was created. While both a void and voidable contract are null, a void contract cannot be ratified. In a legal sense, a void contract is treated as if it was never created and becomes unenforceable in court.
32. Contingent contracts to do or not to do anything if an uncertain future event happens cannot be enforced by law unless and until that event has happened. If the event becomes impossible, such contracts become void.
There can be a contingent contract wherein a party promises to do or not do something if a future uncertain event happens within a fixed time. Such a contract is void if the event does not happen and the time lapses.
A contingent contract will be deemed valid only if an event occurs or does not occur and it is collateral to the contract. The meaning of a contingent contract is that the conditions collateral to the contract must be certain to happen in the future.
Technically, yes — a seller can back out of a contingent offer. Before agreeing, they can choose to reject or counter the original offer with their own terms. Once the offer is accepted, if the contingencies aren't met, the seller can back out but there may be legal or financial implications involved.
32. Contingent contracts to do or not to do anything if an uncertain future event happens cannot be enforced by law unless and until that event has happened. If the event becomes impossible, such contracts become void.