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DeepDive for Lucy v. Zehmer

196 Va. 493, 84 S.E.2d 516 (1954)

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Lucy v. Zehmer | Case Brief DeepDive
Majority opinion, author: Buchanan, J.
Level 1
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This case involves a dispute over the sale of a farm between W. O. Lucy and J. C. Lucy (complainants) and A. H. Zehmer and Ida S. Zehmer (defendants). The complainants seek specific performance of a contract for the sale of the Ferguson farm for $50,000, which was written and signed by the defendants. The defendants claim that the contract was not serious and was made in jest, but the complainants argue that it was a valid agreement. The authenticity of Zehmer's signature and the seriousness of the agreement are in question, as Zehmer had consumed a significant amount of alcohol on the night in question. Witnesses have conflicting testimonies, and clear evidence is needed to support the defendants' defense. The lower court dismissed the complainants' bill, and the appeal is based on this action.

Zehmer's alleged intoxication does not invalidate the contract, as his detailed testimony and other evidence contradict his claim. The appearance of the contract, the lengthy discussion before signing, and the fact that Mrs. Zehmer also signed it suggest that the transaction was serious. Lucy's actions, such as financing the purchase and hiring an attorney to examine the title, support his belief that the contract was binding. The law looks to a person's outward expression of intention rather than their secret intentions. The contract is binding regardless of whether it resulted from a serious offer and acceptance or a serious offer and acceptance in secret jest. The defendants' argument against enforcing the contract is not supported by any usual grounds for opposing specific performance, and the purchase price was deemed fair. The case is being sent back to the lower court to require the defendants to fulfill their contractual obligations as requested by the plaintiffs.

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KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
10:58
@Ijustwannagetinman: when you build up seniority i think they cap out around 20m
Ijustwannagetinman
11:03
Managing partner is diff it's like CEO sorry if that wasn't clear but was asking abt that specifically
does anyone know if there is decent earning potential for family law?
not to be annoying but how would you define decent earning potential
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
11:17
Oh okay I didn’t know that, thank you
nah good question. Like 100k+
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
11:17
Yeah just start your own shingle and make 500k a year
KnowledgeableRitzyWasp
11:19
You would probably start out around 100k if you attended a T50
super cursory google search says the average family law attorney in nyc makes 110k a year
yeah I saw that too its just people on reddit have been telling me average is like 50-60k along with criminal law so I was confused
i think as always its going to depend on a number of factors. $110k in nyc really doesnt go as far and people would say that is similar to making like 50/60k in chicago or pittsburgh
very true. thanks!
if i have a non law related summer job lined up but i am on some waitlists should i try to find a law-y project of some type to work on
Ijustwannagetinman
11:54
110k only doesn’t seem like that much bc of the whole culture of nyc being a whole “keeping up with the jones’” vibe
Ijustwannagetinman
11:55
Everyone needs that doorman apartment. Everyone needs a bottega bag. Everybody needs to eat out 4 times on the weeks and drop $30 on a cocktail. Obviously not everybody needs that but that’s as much of the problem of nyc as living expenses and why ppl think money doesn’t go as far as it can
my brother in christ have you seen the cost of rent
Ijustwannagetinman
11:59
I lived in New York ik but a lot of the issue is exaggerated like 110k in New York is not 60k in Chicago lol
[] ararara
12:28
Have a great Saturday everybody! Flap those angel wings LSD ❤️.
12:44
The various cost of living calculators (including the Forbes one above) are bad because these websites cobble them together in a week for clicks
12:49
As a result, they just take the same "basket" of goods and multiply it by price data for every city (easy) instead of adjusting for stuff like "people in NYC buy less gas than people in Nashville because why on earth would you own a car in NYC?" (hard)
12:58
And, incidentally, show NYC is more expensive (Manhattan is 33% above U.S. average, Brooklyn 16%, Queens 15%) but not super different from Chicago (5% above average), so $110K in New York is about $83K in Chicago
12:59
*110K in Manhattan = 83K in Chicago
from my experience food cant be differ by that much but rent is way way way higher in manhattan
Guys I just did a timed practice and got a 178 I think I’m gonna cry
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did anyone get a response from fordham
I asked this earlier and forgot to look at the answer before it disappeared but what should be the difference between my 1st and 2nd LOCI? It’s the only school I applied to and they know I will 100% attend and what I’ve been up to since I applied
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At that point just reaffirm you’re still interested and everything you said holds true I think
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