Can amendments to the original agreement be oral?

• A. Yes.
• B. Only permitted by both parties.
• C. Only for amendments under a certain dollar value.
• D. No.

Answer: (D)

Amendments to a written contract must be in writing. Once an agreement exists in writing, any changes to its terms should also be documented in a written modification that all parties sign. This creates a clear, enforceable record of the updated terms and helps prevent disputes about what was agreed. Oral amendments are risky and often not enforceable under California law, especially if the contract itself requires written modifications or would be covered by the Statute of Frauds. So, changes to the original agreement are not valid or binding if they’re only spoken; they need a written amendment that reflects the new scope, price, timeline, and any other changed terms, signed by all parties.