How long am I bound to a contract?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

How long am I bound to a contract?

When does the clock begin to run on the statute of limitations on a written

contract? I know there is a 4 year statute but the contract specifies that the contract runs until my obligations have been met. Which takes priority? The statute, or the duration that is specified in the contract? How do I get out of a contract that is past the statute of limitations?

Asked on March 3, 2016 under Business Law, California

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

Actually, it's simple: the statute of limitations starts to run NOT when the contract is signed but when the contract is breached--that is, when a party fails to perform as required under the contract. The SOL has nothing to do with the duration of a contract: a contract's duration is what it says in the contract, or is necessarily implied from the terms of the contract (i.e. how long it will take to perform the contract)--it could be immediate, a day, a week, a month, a year, three years, or open-ended, etc.). The SOL is how long someone has to sue after the other side breached the contract.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption