Question

The following legal claims exist for Huprey Co. Identify the accounting treatment for each claim as either (a) a liability that is recorded or (b) an item described in notes to its financial statements.1. Huprey (defendant) estimates that a pending lawsuit could result in damages of $1,550,000; it is unlikely that the plaintiff will win the case.a. A liability that is recorded.b. An item described in notes to its financial statements.2. Huprey faces a loss on a pending lawsuit that it is unlikely to lose; the amount is reasonably estimable.a. An item described in notes to its financial statements.b. A liability that is recorded.3. Huprey faces a probable loss on a pending lawsuit; the amount is reasonably estimable.a. An item described in notes to its financial statements.b. A liability that is recorded.

Answer 1

Answer:

Huprey Co.

Identifying the accounting treatment for each claim as either (a) a liability that is recorded or (b) an item described in notes to its financial statements:

1. Huprey (defendant) estimates that a pending lawsuit could result in damages of $1,550,000; it is unlikely that the plaintiff will win the case.a. A liability that is recorded.

b. An item described in notes to its financial statements.

2. Huprey faces a loss on a pending lawsuit that it is unlikely to lose; the amount is reasonably estimable.

a. An item described in notes to its financial statements. b. A liability that is recorded.

3. Huprey faces a probable loss on a pending lawsuit; the amount is reasonably estimable.a. An item described in notes to its financial statements.

b. A liability that is recorded.

Explanation:

Huprey Co. will recognize and record contingent liabilities in its accounts when it can be reasonably established that the future event will occur and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The implication is that Huprey Co. must establish two things before a contingent liability is recognized and recorded.  One is that the probability or the likelihood or the chance that the event will happen exists and can be estimated.  With the probability estimate, it becomes possible for Huprey Co. to also estimate the amount that the happening of the event will cost it.