If on the contract it states my wife and I but only one of us signed...are we legally bound to the contract?


We live in Illinois. This was a contractor proposal for repairs due to storm damage that stated both of our name on it and only I signed the "Acceptance of Proposal" believing it to be a quote. The check from the insurance company requires that both of us sign and the mortgage company requires us both to sign. Found out the contractor is not who we want to do the work and want to know my rights? The only thing she did is pick the color of shingles back I signed and she had no other conversations with him. She asked questions through me on the phone.
Best Answer:
The bit of paper is not the contract. It is evidence that a contract exists. If one of you now claims you didn't agree to be bound by the contract, it's up to the other celebration to show that you did.
It depends on the kind of contract, but in general, you are both liable because of your conjugal. Most states are communal property states meaning that when you divorce you even have to split all the debt surrounded by half even if lets say, singular you have a credit card.
Are you surrounded by a community property state?
If your wife is known to have performed definite parts of the contract or she is known to have agreed to its terms out loud or otherwise, it shows that she had the *intention* to be part of that contract, just similar to "old know it all" says. For example: If she discussed (or wrote emails about) any of the terms of the contract beside the other party or with anyone who can prove she had an interest surrounded by it, then she would be responsible for fulfilling the contract. While I was writing my answer, you provided additional details, so .... There appears to be any a "mistake" or "no meeting of the minds" to this contract. Therefore, it is voidable. Be sure you do not allow the contractor to begin work on your poroperty because, if you do, you will have allowed him to start fulfilling the lingo and you will have shown an intention to fulfill your end of the bargain, making the contract binding. If you wage him a nickel, that would make the contract binding too. Write the contractor a letter (keeping a copy for yourself) stating that you were lower than the impression that the word "proposal" meant an estimate or quote on the work to be performed, and that signing the "proposal" did not bind you to any relationship near that contractor. Tell him you understood that, by signing the quote (use the word "quote" or "estimate" throughout the rest of the letter), you were merely acknowledging its account, not agreeing to employ him. Therefore, you will not be requiring his services. Make sure you date the letter and deliver it as quickly as possible. Maybe even "cc." it to the insurance and mortgage companies. Update: Awww shucks ... there's other more to the story isn't there? Now we find out that he has probably ordered supplies, as you essentially asked him to do, for use on the job. Sorry, you may very well have cooked your own goose. Darn! I was pulling for ya!