Can I sign a contract after my 18th birthday? Is 18 years the age of majority in Alabama?
Full Question:
I am turning 18 years next month. I have earned quite a lot of money from my part time work and I wish to enter into a contract to buy a car for myself. I do not want my parents to enter into the contract for me. Can I sign a contract after my 18th birthday? Is 18 years the age of majority in Alabama?
12/07/2016 |
Category: Minors ยป Age of Major... |
State: Alabama |
#27650
Answer:
The relevant code reads:
“(a) Any person in this state, at the arrival at the age of 19 years, shall be relieved of his or her disabilities of minority and thereafter shall have the same legal rights and abilities as persons over 21 years of age. No law of this state shall discriminate for or against any person between and including the ages of 19 and 21 years solely on the basis of age.
(b) This section shall also apply to any person who arrived at the age of 19 and 20 years before July 22, 1975, but shall not abrogate any defense or abridge any remedy available to him or her prior to such date.
(c) All laws or parts of laws which read “under the age of 21 years” hereafter shall read “under the age of 19 years.” Wherever the words “under the age of 21 years” appear in any law limiting the legal rights and abilities of persons under such age, such words shall be construed to mean under the age of 19 years.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c), nothing in this section shall be deemed to repeal any provision of Chapter 19 of Title 15.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a), an honorably discharged veteran who is under the age of 19 shall be permitted to enter into a contract for the purchase of a motor vehicle.
(f) Notwithstanding subsection (a), or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person who is 18 years of age or older may consent to participate in research conducted by a college or university that is accredited by a federally recognized accrediting agency if the research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the institution.”
Therefore, one cannot enter into a legally enforceable contract until the age of 19.