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Case: Kim v. Son & Facts: Stephen Son was a part owner and operator of two corporations. Because the businesses were corporations, Son was not

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Case: Kim v. Son & Facts: Stephen Son was a part owner and operator of two corporations. Because the businesses were corporations, Son was not personally liable for the debts of either one. Jinsoo Kim invested a total of about $170,000 in the companies. Eventually, both of them failed, and Kim lost his investment. Son felt guilty over Kim's losses. Later, Son and Kim met in a sushi restaurant and drank heroic quantities of alcohol. At one point, Son pricked his finger with a safety pin and wrote the following in his own blood: "Sir, please forgive me. Because of my deeds you have suffered financially. I will repay you to the best of my ability." In return, Kim agreed not to sue him for the money owed. Son later refused to honor the bloody document, and pay Kim the money. Kim filed suit to enforce their contract. The judge determined that the promise did not create a contract because there had been no consideration. You Be The Judge: Was there consideration? Argument for Kim: As a part of the deal made at the sushi restaurant, Kim agreed not to sue Son. What could be more of a forbearance than that? Kim had a right to sue at any time, and he gave the right up. Even if Kim was unlikely to win, Son would still prefer not to be sued. Besides, the fact that Son signed the agreement in blood indicates how seriously he took the obligation to repay his loyal investor. At a minimum, Son eased his guilty conscience by making the agreement, and surely that is worth something. Argument for Son: Who among you has not at one point or another become intoxicated, experienced emotions more powerful than usual, and regretted them the next morning? Whether calling an ex-girlfriend and professing endless love while crying or writing out an agreement in your own blood, it is all the same. A promise not to file a meritless law suit has no value at all. It did not matter to Son whether or not Kim filed suit because Kim could not possibly win. If this promise counts as value then the concept of consideration is meaningless because anyone can promise not to sue any time. Son had no obligation to pay Kim. And the bloody napkin does not change that fact, because it was made without consideration of any kind. It is an ordinary promise, and not a contract that creates any legal obligation. Holding: The trial court's statement of decision sufficiently delineated the factual and legal basis of the court's ultimate decision Kim failed to show the blood agreement was an enforceable contract or that Son defrauded him. For Chapter 13 Assignment, please answer the following question: 1. What did the court determine

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