QUESTION 7

1. Marcy's mother, Sue, did not want her to date until she was older. She also wanted Marcy to attend law school. Just before Marcy started her freshman year in college, Sue told Marcy that if Marcy would refrain from dating until she received her law degree, then Sue would pay off all of Marcy's school loans and throw in an extra $50,000. Marcy agreed and stated, "Thanks, Mom; when I graduate, I'm throwing you a big party for all you have done for me!" Sue smiles and hugs Marcy.
3. Marcy finished law school and asked for payment of her loans, the $50,000 in cash, and for a car. Sue said, "No wayI know you went out on some dates during law school, and I never agreed on the car." Marcy said those were just study nights and that her mother had never objected to Marcy's frequent statements that she wanted a car upon graduation. Sue asks about the party. Marcy tells her that she is nuts because there is no way Marcy can afford a party since Sue has backed out of the deal. After some serious negotiation, Marcy and Sue settled their dispute with Sue agreeing to pay for half of Marcy's school loans and for all of the expenses of Marcy's upcoming wedding; Sue also agreed to forget about Marcy throwing a party for her. Was there sufficient consideration to support Marcy's agreement to throw a party for Sue?

Yes, sufficient consideration was present.

No, there was insufficient consideration because Sue did not promise anything in exchange.

No, there was insufficient consideration because Marcy's agreement was illusory.

No, because throwing a party is not of a monetary value such as to constitute consideration.

No, because close relatives are involved.

QUESTION 15

1. Stewart, the owner of ABC Construction, agreed with Joan, the owner of XYZ Hotel, that he would complete renovations on her upscale hotel on the beach in Florida by October 1. The amount due to Stewart under the contract was $250,000. The contract contained a clause by which Stewart would pay Joan $50,000 for each day he was late on completing the project. Unfortunately, an unexpected earthquake shook the area, and while the earthquake did not damage the hotel itself, Stewart encountered significant difficulty in getting supplies due to the high demand for building material following the earthquake. Because he believed that traveling himself to other states to obtain supplies would be prohibitively expensive, he delayed the project for two weeks while waiting for local stores to have sufficient supplies available. Stewart finished renovations six days late. Joan told Stewart that she owed him nothing but that he owed her $50,000. Stewart told Joan that he was suing for the entire $250,000 because it was not his fault the earthquake delayed matters. Assuming the earthquake does not affect Stewart's liability for damages, which of the following is true regarding the provision that he will pay $50,000 for each day he is late?

It will be upheld based on freedom of contract.

It will be upheld because the penalty per day is less than one half of the amount due for the job.

It will be upheld as a stipulated amount.

It will be struck because parties are prohibited as a matter of law from specifying damages.

It will be struck as a penalty.