§ 1605 Valid Contract Consideration

Civil Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that a promise is supported by something of value if the person receiving it isn't already allowed to have it or isn't supposed to give it up.

Key Takeaways

•A promise needs something of value to back it up.
•That something must be a benefit to the person making the promise or a loss to the other person.
•It can't be something the person already has a legal right to keep or give up.

Example

A neighbor promises to pay you $50 to mow their lawn, and you agree to do it.

You get $50 as a benefit for doing the work, which is a good reason (consideration) for both of you to keep the promise.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 1605 Valid Contract Consideration

Any benefit conferred, or agreed to be conferred, upon the promisor, by any other person, to which the promisor is not lawfully entitled, or any prejudice suffered, or agreed to be suffered, by such person, other than such as he is at the time of consent lawfully bound to suffer, as an inducement to the promisor, is a good consideration for a promise. (Enacted 1872.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

benefit prejudice consideration promisor

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 1605.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References