15. On what ground would the contract most likely be avoided?

D is correct. A contract is voidable if the elements of undue influence — undue susceptibility to pressure and excessive pressure — are established. The undue susceptibility element can be established either by the circumstances (e.g., the mother's illness) or the existence of a confidential relationship (such as a parent-child relationship). The following facts support a finding of excessive pressure: the daughter's statement that she might not visit her mother, the daughter pressuring her mother to sell the property while her mother was in a hospice facility, the mother assenting without obtaining independent advice, and the mother's susceptibility to pressure.

A is incorrect. A contract can be avoided on the basis of duress. However, the facts fail to establish the elements of duress. Duress requires an improper threat. The daughter's statement that she might not visit her mother does not constitute an improper threat sufficient to support avoidance based on duress.

B is incorrect. If a bargained-for exchange is present, there is no additional requirement, such as an equivalency of exchange, to satisfy the consideration requirement of an enforceable contract. Moreover, the imbalance in the exchange between the mother and her daughter does not constitute the gross inadequacy of exchange that so shocks the conscience as to warrant invalidating the agreement.

C is incorrect. The mistake doctrine supports avoidance of a contract. An essential element of the mistake doctrine is a mistake, which is defined as a «belief that is not in accord with the facts.» The facts, in this case, fail to establish a legally cognizable mistake.