Legal Case: Lydia vs Lavinia

Case Background

Lydia promised to pay Lavinia $10,000 if she stopped smoking for 1 year. Lavinia stopped and brought suit when Lydia failed to pay.

Question

Who will win?

A. Lydia will win because she received no actual benefit

B. Lydia will win because Lavinia incurred no actual detriment

C. Lydia will win because Lavinia incurred no legal detriment

D. Lavinia will win because Lydia received a legal benefit

Answer:

D. Lavinia will win because Lydia received a legal benefit

Explanation:

In this case, Lavinia is the promisee, since Lydia (the promisor) promised to give her $10,000 if she stopped smoking. Lavinia incurred in a legal detriment when she stopped smoking, simply because she has the smoke if she wants to. Personally, I consider smoking a bad habit, but anyone that smokes is free to do so as long as they comply with the law. A legal detriment is always paired with a legal benefit, even if the action doesn't actually result in a tangible benefit to Lydia.