19. Under the Statute of Frauds, before a court may enforce a contract it MUST be:
Answer: D
A contract must be in writing under the Statute of Frauds.
For a court to enforce a contract under the Statute of Frauds, the contract must be in writing. This requirement helps prevent fraud and misunderstandings by ensuring that the terms of the agreement are clearly documented.
A) notarized
Notarization is not a requirement under the Statute of Frauds. While notarized documents can add a layer of authenticity, the law specifically mandates that certain contracts simply be in writing, regardless of whether they are notarized.
B) recorded
Recording a contract is not necessary for it to be enforceable under the Statute of Frauds. The statute only requires that the contract be in writing; recording is a separate legal process that pertains to the public notice of the agreement rather than its enforceability.
C) confirmed
Confirmation of a contract is not a prerequisite under the Statute of Frauds. While parties may need to confirm details or terms in certain situations, the statute itself does not require confirmation for a contract to be enforceable.
D) in writing
This is the correct answer. The Statute of Frauds requires that certain types of contracts, such as those involving real estate or that cannot be performed within one year, must be in writing to be enforceable in a court of law.
Conclusion
The requirement that a contract must be in writing under the Statute of Frauds is essential for enforceability. Options A, B, and C do not meet this key criterion, making them incorrect. Thus, option D is definitively the right choice, as it aligns with the legal standards established by the Statute of Frauds.