i have signed a contract but im under 16!?

The Tank

The contract is not legal or binding because you are under 18. It is very doubtful that your parents will be liable for any costs or other expenditure as a result of this unless they knew at the time what you were doing.
The other party to the contract had a duty to check first.

Bostonian In MO

There are a number of essential elements to a valid, enforceable contract. Without going into a long-winded discussion about them, the element here is capacity. Capacity means that both parties must be legally able to enter into a binding contract. It includes such things as being of sound mind and of legal age, so if you are insane or below the legal age you cannot enter into a binding contract.

Legal age varies by country but in the UK (and most US states) as well as most of the modern world it's 18. There may be exceptions to this for various contracts. For example someone under age 21 in the US cannot contract to purchase alcoholic beverages since the law prohibits the purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages by anyone under age 21.

There are exceptions to the capacity requirement, either explicitly or at Common Law, generally for essential goods and services such as food, clothing and shelter. You can't go into a restaurant and order a meal and then refuse to pay for it because you lack legal capacity (i.e. are under age in this case) since food is essential. The same concept applies to contracts for accommodation (lease or AST) since shelter is also essential, though as a practical matter most landlords won't rent to you if you are under age unless a parent or legal guardian also signs the agreement.

Without knowing what you have contracted for it's therefore impossible to say if you can void the contract or are legally bound to it. If it's for food, clothing or shelter you're probably stuck. If it's for anything else you may be able to void it.

Veronica Alicia

In the UK it would depend what it was for.
If it was for what is called "A necessary", e.g. necessary items or food, clothing, etc., you might be held to it, otherwise as a minor you cannot be sign a legal Contract. The vendor needs to ensure that the person is an adult.
See Citizens Advice Bureau in your Town if there are any problems.

sewrobb

The contract is illegal to begin with. You cannot legally sign a contract until you are 18.

You can be reported for false representation and fraud because when you signed it you stated that you were over the age of 18.

Also your parents or legal guardian are responsible for your debt and can be made
to pay any costs incurred.

champer

Depends where you are. In general a minor can certainly enter into a contract, but in some states/countries that contract is deem to be voidable. This is an important distinction from VOID. A void contract is no good, whereas a voidable contract is only as good as the minors willingness to go forward with it.

sailortinkitty

What is this Contract?

Cell Phone, Credit Card, Apartment, Job..?

Read the fine print.

Some things you have to pay to get out early. Some times you have to pay for all 3 of those years you don't want to stay.

Nawww, it's null and void. Your parents should be liable. I hope you didn't get this by fudging your age.

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