Under statutory requirements for a contract for the sale of land, can the seller and buyer sign one copy each provided the copies are identical?

Under statutory requirements for a contract for the sale of land, can the seller and buyer sign one copy each provided the copies are identical?

• A. Yes, both may sign one copy each, if copies are identical.
• B. No, only the seller signs.
• C. Yes, but only if there are three copies.
• D. No, the contract must be in a single original.

Answer: (A)

For contracts for the sale of land, the writing and signature formalities can be satisfied by execution in counterparts. This means each party can sign a separate, identical copy, and the contract becomes binding when the signed copies are exchanged. The essential point is that the agreement must be in writing and signed by the parties; it does not have to be on a single original document. Signing identical copies and exchanging them provides the same evidentiary effect as signing one document. So, signing one copy each, provided the copies are identical, is perfectly acceptable and creates a valid contract.

For contracts for the sale of land, the writing and signature formalities can be satisfied by execution in counterparts. This means each party can sign a separate, identical copy, and the contract becomes binding when the signed copies are exchanged. The essential point is that the agreement must be in writing and signed by the parties; it does not have to be on a single original document. Signing identical copies and exchanging them provides the same evidentiary effect as signing one document.

So, signing one copy each, provided the copies are identical, is perfectly acceptable and creates a valid contract.