What must a valid contract contain regarding the parties involved?

A valid contract requires that the parties involved are competent, meaning they must have the legal capacity to enter into an agreement. This typically includes being of legal age, sound mind, and not under duress or undue influence. Competence is crucial because entering into a contract with an incompetent party can render the agreement void or voidable, affecting its enforceability.

For instance, if one party is a minor or mentally incapacitated, they may not fully understand the implications of their commitments, and thus the contract could be challenged in a legal setting. Furthermore, the authorities or parties aligned with the law will always prioritize that those entering contracts are capable of understanding their rights and obligations.

While personal information, addresses, or attorneys' names can be helpful for identification and communication, they do not determine the legal enforceability of a contract in the same fundamental way as the competence of the parties involved. Thus, ensuring that all parties are competent is essential to the integrity of the contract.