Direct answer
What does Statute of frauds mean?
A law requiring certain agreements, including many agreements involving real property, to be in writing and signed to be enforceable.
Exam cue: Identify whether the transaction falls within the writing requirement and who must sign.
What does it look like in a question?
New York example
An agreement to sell a parcel is put in a signed written contract.
Common exam trap
What should you not confuse it with?
The phrase does not mean the agreement involves deception.
Related contracts and leases terms
AssignmentA transfer of a party's contractual rights or leasehold interest to another person, subject to the agreement and law.ConsiderationSomething of legal value exchanged as part of a contract.ContingencyA contract condition that must be satisfied or waived for a stated obligation to become final or continue.CounterofferA response that rejects an offer and proposes different terms.Executed contractA contract in which the parties have completed the promised performance.Executory contractA contract under which one or more material obligations remain to be performed.
Sources used2 references with section locators
The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself. Links and locators were checked on August 26, 2026.
- Real Estate Salesperson 77-Hour CurriculumNew York State Department of StateSupports: Exam scopeSection: Subject 4, The Contract of Sales and Leases
- General Obligations Law section 5-703New York State SenateSupports: New York ruleSection: Writing requirements for real-property contracts and interests
Keep learning
Put the term back into its full subject.
A definition helps with recall. The subject guide shows how the rule interacts with documents, scenarios, calculations and practice questions.