Contracts are agreements between you and another person where you give each other something. For example, if you enter into a contract to rent an apartment with a landlord, you are agreeing to pay rent and the landlord is agreeing that you can live in the apartment. A contract is an agreement that the law will enforce. A contract does not have to be in writing to be enforceable (but verbal contracts are often more difficult to enforce, as they are more difficult to prove). When you are 18 or older, you may contract with others. If you are under 18, you may also be able to contract with others, but you are generally limited to: contracts that may benefit you; or contracts for the necessities of life. This usually includes things such as food, shelter, education and medical services, but can also include other things, depending on the circumstances. If you are under 18 and you enter into a contract for something other than these two items, you may have the option of cancelling the contract, either immediately or when you turn 18. The ability to cancel gives minors some protection against making reckless decisions. But the law balances this special protection for minors against legitimate business interests of people or companies that a minor contracts with. If you enter into a contract that is not beneficial to you and that is not for necessaries of life, the court may find that you are still bound to the contract. You must also have mental capacity to enter into a contract, at any age. Last Reviewed: November 2019