Cengage Advantage Books: Business Law 9th Edition by Arnold Goldman ,William Sigismond

Exercise 18

Marshall, age 17, was ejected from his parents' home shortly after his graduation from high school. He then rented an apartment with Fletcher, a girlfriend. They signed a lease together, and Marshall paid part of the security deposit and the rent. One month after they moved into the apartment, Marshall turned 18 (age of majority) and continued to pay the rent for about one and one-half months. Then, because he and Fletcher were not getting along, he moved out and discontinued paying his share of the rent. Fletcher continued to make rental payments but sued Marshall for his share because his name was also on the lease. Marshall claimed that because he signed the lease while a minor he was not responsible for any rental payments after he moved out. Is he correct? (Fletcher v. Marshall, 632 N.E.2d 1105)