How is a contract between an adult and a minor typically categorized?

A contract between an adult and a minor is typically categorized as voidable by the minor. This means that the minor has the legal right to void the contract at any time before reaching the age of majority or shortly thereafter. The law recognizes that minors may not have the capacity to fully understand the implications of their contractual obligations, and as such, they are afforded special protections to void agreements that they enter into.

This voidable status is meant to protect minors from being bound by contracts that they may not fully comprehend or that may not serve their best interests. The adult party, on the other hand, does not have the same ability to void the contract simply because they are dealing with a minor. This reflects the legal principle that the responsibility lies with adults to ensure that they are contracting with individuals who can consent to the terms of the contract.

In this scenario, the minor's ability to void the contract gives them the flexibility to change their mind and protects them from contractual obligations they may not be ready to fulfill. This distinction underscores the overarching legal framework aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, such as minors, in contractual relationships.