Certain contracts must be in writing to be enforced by the courts. Explain the purpose of the Statute of Frauds and provide the types agreements that must be in writing to be enforced. Recognize that these contracts may be valid in every respect and may well be carried out by the parties to the agreement. However, in the even of a dispute, the courts will generally not enforce the contract unless it is written. Note that the modern equivalent of a "contract in contemplation of marriage" is a pre-nuptial agreement and has additional present-day requirements.