Which items are covered by the Statute of Frauds under the MY LEGS mnemonic?

Which items are covered by the Statute of Frauds under the MY LEGS mnemonic?

• A. Marriage, Year, Land, Executor, Goods >$500, Surety
• B. Marriage, Year, Leases, Executor, Goods >$500, Surety
• C. Marriage, Year, Land, Executor, Services >$500
• D. Marriage, Year, Land, Executor, Goods >$50, Surety

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the Statute of Frauds requires certain contracts to be in writing, captured by the MY LEGS mnemonic: Marriage, Year, Land, Executor, Goods, Surety. The best choice lists exactly those categories with the goods rule specified as more than $500, which is the typical modern threshold under the UCC for the sale of goods. Marriage covers promises made in contemplation of marriage, Year covers contracts that cannot be completed within one year, Land covers interests in real property, Executor covers promises by an executor to pay the estate’s debts, Goods covers the sale of goods over $500, and Surety covers promises to answer for another’s debt. This combination accurately reflects what the statute requires to be in writing. The other options mix in items not in the mnemonic (like leases or services) or use the wrong amount for goods (such as $50), which is why they’re not correct.

The key idea is that the Statute of Frauds requires certain contracts to be in writing, captured by the MY LEGS mnemonic: Marriage, Year, Land, Executor, Goods, Surety. The best choice lists exactly those categories with the goods rule specified as more than $500, which is the typical modern threshold under the UCC for the sale of goods.

Marriage covers promises made in contemplation of marriage, Year covers contracts that cannot be completed within one year, Land covers interests in real property, Executor covers promises by an executor to pay the estate’s debts, Goods covers the sale of goods over $500, and Surety covers promises to answer for another’s debt. This combination accurately reflects what the statute requires to be in writing.

The other options mix in items not in the mnemonic (like leases or services) or use the wrong amount for goods (such as $50), which is why they’re not correct.