Termination of Offer

Offers terminate by revocation, rejection, lapse, death, or destruction of subject matter.

Representative cases

• Union Trust and Savings Bank v. State Bank 188 N.W.2d 300 · Supreme Court of Iowa
• Cain v. Noel 235 S.E.2d 292 · Supreme Court of South Carolina
• C.G. Schmidt, Inc. v. Tiedke 510 N.W.2d 756 · Court of Appeals of Wisconsin

Related Formation rules

• Contract DefinedA contract is a legally enforceable promise formed by mutual assent and consideration.
• Offer RequirementsAn offer is a manifestation of intent to be bound with definite terms communicated to an identifiable offeree.
• Option ContractsAn option is irrevocable when supported by consideration for a promise to keep the offer open.
• Firm Offers (UCC)A merchant’s signed writing assuring it will remain open is irrevocable for the period stated, up to 3 months.
• Acceptance: Mirror RuleUnder common law, acceptance must mirror the offer; additional or different terms are counteroffers.
• Acceptance by PerformanceUnilateral contracts are accepted only by complete performance.
• Acceptance by PromiseBilateral contracts are accepted by a return promise or beginning performance.
• Mailbox RuleAcceptance is effective upon dispatch unless otherwise specified.

Part of Contracts on Core Legal Rules — foundational MBE-tested principles with primary-source citations.