Can I Cancel a Contract After Signing It?

Once you place your signature on a written contract, the general rule is that you’re bound to perform your promise. There are, however, various intervening circumstances that may allow you to lawfully cancel a contract even after signing it.

An experienced Manchester business and contract lawyer from Burch & Stewart Attorneys might also analyze the agreement to determine whether it’s valid. If not, our legal professionals might help you get the contract voided. Discuss canceling a contract in Manchester, TN, today.

Canceling a Contract Due to Intervening Circumstances

In some cases, performing a contract becomes impossible due to unforeseeable intervening circumstances. Examples of events that might permit you to cancel a contract after you sign it in Manchester include the following:

Impossibility: Contract performance becomes impossible. For example, a contract to purchase a vehicle is cancelable if the vehicle is totaled in an accident.
Frustration of Purpose: The contract is voided if the purpose of the agreement is frustrated by some unforeseeable event. This could include a sudden change in the law or the death of the party set to receive contracted services. However, the event must be outside the canceling party’s control. Simply changing your mind due to poor financial circumstances is not enough.
Force Majeure (Act of God): COVID-19 was an example of an ‘act of God’ making certain contract performances impossible. Other examples include catastrophic weather events or war.
Impracticality: Even if performance is legally possible, the law may consider it impractical due to post-contract events outside the canceling party’s control. A contract to import steel might be canceled, for example, if the government suddenly puts 200% tariffs on steel imports. It’s still possible to import the items, but it’s now financially impractical.

Most of these exceptions are contained in case law. As such, you must speak with a local contracts lawyer about the specific facts of your case.

Voiding a Contract Under Contract Terms or Tennessee Law

Many written contracts contain certain terms allowing one or both parties to cancel the agreement under certain circumstances. In some cases, you might be allowed to cancel if you give proper notice and pay specified liquidated damages. Additionally, contracts in violation of Tennessee law might automatically be declared void. An example includes contracting for child (teenage) labor that violates Tennessee child labor laws.

Even if the child consents, he or she might still have the right to void an agreement not otherwise approved by a parent. Only an experienced contract lawyer in Manchester can help you understand your right to cancel an agreement under state law.

Contract Cancellation Lawyers in Manchester, TN

If you signed a contract and need to cancel due to a misunderstanding or some unforeseen event, immediately contact the dedicated business and contract litigators at Burch & Stewart Attorneys. We might help you void, renegotiate, or cancel a contract in Tennessee even after you signed the agreement. Call our Manchester, TN office immediately at (931) 954-1066 or connect with us online.