Question

Helena shares with her family her two goals for her senior year in college: join a synchronized swim team and shoot a bald eagle. Helena's cousin Anika is concerned about the utility of both of these goals and urges Helena to spend the year looking for a job, promising, "If, upon graduation, you have secured a job, have refrained from synchronized swimming, and have not shot any bald eagles, I will give you $10,000." Helena immediately accepts the terms of the agreement and at graduation has met all three criteria, but Anika refuses to pay. What argument will be most helpful for Anika in court?

Answer 1

The element of the agreement about the bald eagle is not enforceable because shooting bald eagles is illegal.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anika was concerned about Helena's goals, Anika believes her goals are insignificant and will not be important to her life. Anika wants Helena to find a job, while Helena wants to join a synchronized swim team and shoot an eagle.

Anika promised Helena a sum of money if she found a job and didn't get on the swim team or shoot eagles. Helena fulfilled the agreement, but received no money. This was a breach of contract on Anika's part and she could be legally forced to pay Helena money, but Anika can escape this situation by claiming that shooting eagles (as Helena wanted) is an illegal activity.