What is an oral contract?

An oral contract is an agreement between two or more parties that is not written down. It is also known as a verbal contract or an implied contract. In Washington, an oral contract is legally binding just like a written contract. Under the state’s debtor and creditor law, an oral contract can be used to settle a dispute. All parties involved must agree to the terms of the contract. Typically, there must be a “meeting of the minds” and a mutual understanding of the contract’s terms. The elements of an oral contract typically include an offer, acceptance, consideration, and intention to create a legal obligation. The offer must be communicated clearly and the other party must accept the offer. Consideration is an exchange of goods and/or services between the parties. The intention element in an oral contract requires that both parties are in agreement and understand what they are agreeing to. The Washington Court of Appeals has held that an oral contract is valid and enforceable if the agreement is not one that must be in writing. For example, in Washington, an oral contract to purchase real estate is not enforceable since it must be in writing in order to be legally binding. Oral contracts can be enforceable under Washington law, but they can be difficult to prove in court without written evidence. If you have any dispute involving an oral contract, it’s important to get an experienced legal professional who can help you with the dispute.

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