Man refuses to be godfather to friend’s newborn upon legally binding contract

[Male4Strapon]

Childless man was happy to become a godfather (until he read the fine print)

A man is being labeled 'selfish' for refusing to become a godfather to his best friend’s newborn after he was handed a legally binding contract

montrealgazette.com

These parents are assholes!


A man is being labeled “selfish” for refusing to become the godfather of his best friend’s newborn after being handed a legally binding contract filled with “ridiculous demands.”
When he was asked to become the godfather, he was “honored” to accept. That was until the friend surprised him with a legal contract stuffed in an envelope.
"I must go to every catholic event in which Jane attends, such as christening, confession, confirmation…etc. Which I know are normal events for a Catholic child’s life. Then we get into ridiculous things. I have to consider ‘becoming Catholic’. I must give a gift of at least $500 for each of these events. And on birthdays/Christmas, gifts must be cash only and over $250. I am expected to save at least $25,000 (over Jane’s 18 years) and set it aside for Jane’s future college tuition. Her parents will provide the rest. Seriously?!?
“The list goes on to include various things such as being willing to cancel any plans I have if they need me to watch Jane or if they go on vacation (apparently Jane can’t go?). Many of the other things on the list were silly or not a big deal (like spending time with her once a week).”
The man said he told his friend there was “no way” he would agree to those demands, which caused the friend to lash out.
The friend “essentially told me he thought I was a ‘good guy” but it was apparent I was selfish.

 

[mandrill]

Not binding. No consideration.

 

[Scholar]

Not binding. No consideration.

Really? The title of godfather doesn't count as consideration?

 

[bazokajoe]

That's pathetic.
Good on the guy for saying no.

 

[y2kmark]

So this is what the guy pulls on his best friend? Is it a Bizarro World kind of thing where he then pays for his worst enemy to attend lawschool or something?

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Any "friend" who pulls nonsense like this and puts a "friend" in a corner the way he did wasn't really a friend to begin with.

I also must add that the information that makes up this story comes from Reddit. You'd think a reputable newspaper would stop short of reprinting information and anonymous quotes from Reddit users when they are not in any way subject to fact-checking. For all we know, this guy made the entire story up.

 

[NotADcotor]

I also must add that the information that makes up this story comes from Reddit. You'd think a reputable newspaper would stop short of reprinting information and anonymous quotes from Reddit users when they are not in any way subject to fact-checking. For all we know, this guy made the entire story up.

I am taking your word on this, I didn't read the article.
But it's sad.
I remember growing up in the 70's and early 80's eating my cereal and listening to the radio.
G for good morning, G for the Gazette, so easy to read so hard to put down.

I also remember the time I caught the ferry to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for my shoe. So I decided to go to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on 'em. "Gimme five bees for a quarter," you'd say. Now where were we... oh yeah. The important thing was that I had an onion on my belt, which was the style at the time. They didn't have any white onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones

 

[NotADcotor]

Really? The title of godfather doesn't count as consideration?

Seriously though, wouldn't it.

 

[anon1]

Is the wife a looker?
I'd do it if I had access to the wife.

 

[Ref]

I feel sorry for the new born having asshole parents like that.

 

[MuffDiver]

Surprised it took so long to find out his friend was such an asshole!

 

[Valcazar]

Those parents seem like assholes.

 

[mandrill]

Seriously though, wouldn't it.

Oh gawd!.....

Classical Victorian contractual theory says that "consideration" can be anything, including a thing of nominal value. "A mere peppercorn may be the consideration for a thousand pound conveyance of a mansion estate! And a judge may not look beyond the bargain two men make nor impose his own opinion as to the appropriate value that consideration must be!" Or words to that effect from the Honourable Lord Justice of Queens Bench.

But someone is going to suggest that simply calling another "godfather" has so little substance that it is "less than a peppercorn in worth" and cannot be consideration in the eyes of the Law. Or at least I damn well hope so!

 

[mandrill]

I feel sorry for the new born having asshole parents like that.

Unless he himself is a child asshole and grows into an adult asshole like his parents.

 

[Male4Strapon]

Unless he himself is a child asshole and grows into an adult asshole like his parents.

Almost a certainty.
Not every asshole comes from asshole parents, but almost all asshole parents pass on their asshole-ism

 

[NotADcotor]

Oh gawd!.....

Classical Victorian contractual theory says that "consideration" can be anything, including a thing of nominal value. "A mere peppercorn may be the consideration for a thousand pound conveyance of a mansion estate! And a judge may not look beyond the bargain two men make nor impose his own opinion as to the appropriate value that consideration must be!" Or words to that effect from the Honourable Lord Justice of Queens Bench.

But someone is going to suggest that simply calling another "godfather" has so little substance that it is "less than a peppercorn in worth" and cannot be consideration in the eyes of the Law. Or at least I damn well hope so!

1: I took one course in Business Ape Law back in the early 90's, cut me some slack.

2: My question is if consideration has to be physical. if not, I could see it counting. After all
"a judge may not look beyond the bargain two men make nor impose his own opinion as to the appropriate value that consideration must be!"
Some cultures take being a godfather very seriously. Others, about as useful as a single peppercorn.