Alright, here we go. So basically I (22F) write, and my goal is to be a published author one day. Not anytime soon, but one day. My mom (46F) doesn’t really believe in me but still wants money from me if I ever do get published because of something stupid.
When I was like 16 or 17, I agreed to give her 25% of whatever I earned from writing if I ever got published, mainly just to shut her up about money. Ever since then, whenever I mention my writing or anything like that, she gets all excited about the hypothetical 25% she’s going to get.
Since then I’ve obviously matured, and have gone back on that, which caused an argument this morning where she threatened to sue me over it if I ever did get published because "she’s more convincing than I am" and "she can just tell them I was 18 when I agreed to it" since I told her that contracts "signed" by minors aren’t legally binding. I also told her she should’ve gotten it in writing, which she just said "verbal agreements are just as good as written ones".
Now, I might be the asshole, because I did agree to it, but also, it’s just stupid and I feel like I’m right. If I’m in the wrong, then I’ll accept it.
IF she is serious, your mother sounds toxic. Keep away from her. She is not good for you. A parent with any care for their child does not deride their dreams.
I wouldn’t call you an AH, except you are a bit for entering into a discussion with this woman.
She has problems and you as her child are unlikely to be able to solve them.
Good luck with your writing
Your mom cares more about money that doesn’t exist than you, NTA.
NAL- 16/17 makes you a minor and unable to be legally bound to a contract verbally or otherwise NTA she sounds toxic as fuck
NTA. You need to shut the conversation down. Your mother has already said she’s going to lie to steal money from you and is trying to hold something over your head from when you were a kid. You need to start asserting yourself more and just telling her “no”. By engaging with her, you’re just creating more aggravation for yourself.
NTA. This is why minors aren’t allowed to enter into contracts. They are easily pressured by adults who do not have their best interest at heart.
You get published, you get money, why does she have to know. Mom has exactly zero reason to know anything about your finances.
Mom’s just greedy.
NTA let her try to sue you. It would be her responsibility to prove this verbal agreement exists and fabricate the year it was agreed to. Even if you were 18 at the time this doesn’t sound like a legally binding agreement. For a contract to be valid both parties need to provide something. Your mom would need to give you something in exchange for the 25% profit. There’s also fraud laws that require a contract for the sale of something over $500 to be in writing.
Don’t let your mom pressure you into this. She has no ground to stand on.
Continue writing, but under a pen name. She won’t be able to know it is you, and you are an adult, she had no reason or means to know your finances if you don’t tell her.
If she asks, simply tell her that writing is cutthroat and no where near as profitable as you hoped (this is mostly true!) and 25% of nothing is still nothing.
NTA. Even if your mother lies about you being 18 a contract has to meet many other requirements to be legal. Nit only does their have to be a “meeting of the minds” but it has to mutually benefit bit parties. “I’m going to give you money” is an mutually beneficial exchange.
First off, for a contract to be legally binding there needs to be offer, acceptance, compensation, and intent. Compensation doesn’t just mean offer to pay, it means BOTH parties need to receive something in compensation for a contract to be legal. She has no standing and a judge won’t side with her ‘because she’s more convincing.’
Secondly, NTA
NTA
Minors can’t agree to contracts because they are young, inexperienced, and easily manipulated.
Even had you given her a written and dated contract at the age of 16, a ~pie in the sky~ promise to give her 25% of your future wealth should you become a fabulously successful writer would not be valid, nor is a verbal promise.
But you asked whether or not you were an asshole for not following through.
Nope.
Your parents are supposed to protect you and your best interests – not manipulate you into giving them a percentage over something, you said when you were a kid.
Feel free to tell her to go kick rocks.
A verbal contract doesn’t amount to much, and beside, in most places a 16 or 17 year old is too young to enter into a contract.
NTA. It’s really a silly fight. I’m a published author, I have won multiple awards, but authors don’t make money unless they are in the top 1% of the top 1%. So she is fighting over hundreds not hundreds of thousands.
Legally, you’d win. Just don’t mention it anymore to avoid the ridiculous argument.
Write under a pseudonym and never discuss being published again.
NTA, but she is giving you plenty of material to write about.