Charles offered to shovel snow from Wilma’s driveway after she sprained her ankle late in January. For the remainder of January and throughout February, true to his word, Charles shoveled her driveway approximately 5 times. On March 1, when Wilma’s ankle had sufficiently healed and she was able to look after her driveway again, Wilma told Charles how thankful she was for his efforts and that she would give him $20 for each time he shoveled her driveway (or a total of $100). Charles accepted Wilma’s offer, but later Wilma refused to pay $20. Can Charles force Wilma to pay?
• Yes, because all the essential elements of a contract are present – including offer, acceptance and consideration.
• No, because Wilma’s promise is meeting a gratuitous promise since the consideration is in the past.
• Yes, because Wilma has a moral obligation to fulfil the promise.
• Yes, because Charles changed his course of action and shoveled her snow thinking he might get paid.
• No, because $20 is clearly too much for shoveling snow.