Question

Edward and Tony are fraternity brothers. Edward has a dinner party to celebrate getting a new job. Tony helps Edward out with the dinner party, coming 3 hours before, helping with cooking, buying the ingredients for the dinner, and party set up, and staying after, to help with clean up after. The next day, Edward promises Tony that Edward will pay Tony $100 because of all the help Tony provided the day before at the dinner party. Is Edward's promise enforceable? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer:

Edward's promise is not enforceable.  Tony had already performed the act.  He did not perform based on Edward's promise.  He performed because of their fraternal brotherhood.

Explanation:

This situation looks like a unilateral contract whereby Edward makes a promise to Tony to pay him $100.  However, we observe that Tony did not perform his actions in consideration of this reward.  He performed because they were fraternity brothers.  Therefore, Tony cannot enforce Edward's promise in any court.  It is only left for Edward to fulfill his promise as a gentleman, not because he is legally obliged to.