Statute of Frauds: (1) Email as “Writing” and (2) Email Signature as “Signature”

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Kevin Parker

By:  Kevin J. Parker

Arizona, like most states, has a Statute of Frauds that essentially requires real estate related contracts to be both (1) in writing and (2) signed by the party to be charged.  A.R.S. § 44-101.  Questions often arise as to whether an email can satisfy the “writing” requirement, and whether an electronic signature can satisfy the “signed by the party to be charged” requirement.  The answer to these questions, like many legal questions, is: it depends.  Whether an email can satisfy the “writing” requirement might depend on whether the transaction relates to interstate commerce.  Pursuant to federal statute, 15 U.S.C.… Read More »

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Sign those Real Estate Agreements!

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Bobby Kethcart

By: Bobby Kethcart

The Statute of Frauds is a BIG deal in real estate transactions and litigation. (This is our second post about it already…) We know it requires (most) agreements related to real estate to be in writing—agreements for the sale of an interest in real property, agreements for a lease of longer than one year, agreements authorizing or employing a broker or agent to buy or sell real property for compensation or a commission, and even some agreements to pay referral commissions if they can’t be performed in less than a year. We also know that the Statute of Frauds only requires the written agreement to be signed “by the party to be charged,” i.e.… Read More »

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The Risk of Intent in Your Letter of Intent

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Richard Herold

By:  Richard Herold

Although the press frequently reports cavalierly on the execution of a “letter of intent” (“LOI”), as if it is a meaningless document, a LOI can be enforced if the parties intend to be bound, which turns primarily upon a close review of the language of the LOI and, sometimes, the surrounding facts and circumstances.

 First and foremost, under Arizona’s statute of frauds at A.R.S. §44-101(6), to have an enforceable agreement to sell real property, it must be in writing and signed by the “party to be charged” (i.e., the party you want to sue or hold accountable under the agreement).… Read More »

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Broker Beware?

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Erica Stutman

By: Erica Stutman

While oral contracts are often enforceable, certain categories of contracts must be documented in a signed writing or an action for breach of the contract will be barred by the statute of frauds.  See A.R.S. 44-101 for Arizona’s statute of frauds.  The statute of frauds plays an important role in real estate transactions, as agreements for the sale of an interest in real property and for leases longer than one year fall within the statute, as do most real estate broker or agent agreements.  A less obvious category that may affect a real estate agent or broker’s ability to collect commissions is an agreement which is not to be performed within one year from the date the agreement is made.… Read More »

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