Question

You are a seller of farm equipment. Sidney Lanier puts in an order for a new combine harvester, which costs $425,000. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Lanier has to forward you a certified check for 25% of the purchase price within 15 days of the signing of the purchase agreement. Meanwhile you are preparing the combine harvester for shipment to Sidney Lanier's farm.

On the 15th day, you do not receive a check from Mr. Lanier. You do not receive a check on the 16th, 17th, or 18th day either. Meanwhile, another farmer has come into your office to ask about buying the combine harvester.
What can you do in this situation?
A. Since you and Mr. Lanier have a contract, you have to wait until he sends you the check before you can do anything.
B. Mr. Lanier had a duty to send you a check by the 15th. He's breached that duty under the contract, and it appears to be a material breach, so you have the right to rescind the contract.

Answer 1

Answer: B. Mr. Lanier had a duty to send you a check by the 15th. He's breached that duty under the contract, and it appears to be a material breach, so you have the right to rescind the contract.

Step-by-step explanation:

Material breach occurs when a particular party fails to fulfill his or her part in a contract and this can lead to the other party rescinding the contract or sue for a breach of contract.

Since under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Lanier has to forward a certified check for 25% of the purchase price within 15 days of the signing of the purchase agreement but he didn't send the check, this means that the there's a breach in the contract, and the contract can be rescinded.