Which of the following describes a parol evidence exception involving a future event?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes a parol evidence exception involving a future event?

The key idea is that the parol evidence rule has an exception for a future event that must occur before obligations become enforceable. When a contract is written but its duties depend on something happening later, evidence about that future event is admissible to show when performance actually becomes due. This is a condition precedent—the contract’s enforceability or the starting point for performance hinges on that future event. For example, a written agreement might say payment is due only after regulatory approval. The fact that regulatory approval must occur is the condition precedent, so evidence of that future event can be admitted to explain when obligations arise. Other options don’t fit this specific idea. Evidence of negotiations before signing can sometimes be used to support a separate collateral agreement, but it isn’t inherently about a future event that triggers performance. Evidence contradicting the writing is generally barred, not admitted as an exception, and the statement that parol evidence never applies as an exception is incorrect because this future-event exception exists.

The key idea is that the parol evidence rule has an exception for a future event that must occur before obligations become enforceable. When a contract is written but its duties depend on something happening later, evidence about that future event is admissible to show when performance actually becomes due. This is a condition precedent—the contract’s enforceability or the starting point for performance hinges on that future event. For example, a written agreement might say payment is due only after regulatory approval. The fact that regulatory approval must occur is the condition precedent, so evidence of that future event can be admitted to explain when obligations arise.

Other options don’t fit this specific idea. Evidence of negotiations before signing can sometimes be used to support a separate collateral agreement, but it isn’t inherently about a future event that triggers performance. Evidence contradicting the writing is generally barred, not admitted as an exception, and the statement that parol evidence never applies as an exception is incorrect because this future-event exception exists.

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