What is the minimum legal age required for parties to enter into a valid contract?

In most jurisdictions, including Kentucky, the legal age for individuals to enter into a binding contract is 18 years. Reaching this age is significant because it is when a person is generally recognized as having the capacity to understand the terms and implications of a contract. At 18, individuals are considered adults and are granted the legal rights necessary to make decisions, including entering into contracts, without the need for parental consent.

A contract made with someone under the age of 18 may be voidable at the option of the minor, meaning they can choose to enforce the contract or disaffirm it. This legal framework is designed to protect minors from entering into agreements that they may not fully understand or that could be exploitative.

The other choices, while they represent different ages, do not align with the established legal standard for contract capacity in Kentucky. Therefore, recognizing that a person must be at least 18 years old provides clarity on the age requirement for contractual agreements.