In Ohio, what is required for a contract to be enforceable?

A contract in Ohio, as in most jurisdictions, must have certain essential elements to be enforceable. These elements include offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual assent, collectively known as the “four corners” of a contract.

Offer refers to a clear proposal made by one party to another with the intention of creating a legal obligation, while acceptance is the agreement of the other party to the terms of the offer. Consideration is something of value that is exchanged between the parties; it can be money, goods, services, or a promise to do or refrain from doing something. Mutual assent, often demonstrated through the “meeting of the minds,” indicates that both parties understand and agree to the basic substance and terms of the contract.

Understanding that these elements must exist for a contract to be enforceable provides clarity on the fundamental building blocks of contract law. Merely having written documentation, verbal agreements, or signatures from both parties does not alone ensure enforceability if these core components are lacking. Therefore, the answer centered on the four critical elements accurately reflects the requirements for a valid and enforceable contract in Ohio.