In what case is emotional distress relevant to the validity of an offer?

Emotional distress is relevant to the validity of an offer primarily when the offeror is under mental incapacity. In contract law, an individual must have the mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of their actions when making an offer. If a person is suffering from significant emotional distress or mental incapacity at the time they make an offer, their ability to enter into a legal agreement is compromised. This means that the offer may be deemed invalid because the offeror is not in a position to make a rational, informed decision.

In contrast, other scenarios, such as making an offer under duress, in jest, or when both parties are under emotional stress, may affect the dynamics of the negotiation but do not inherently make the offer invalid due to the offeror's lack of understanding or capacity. Therefore, focusing on mental incapacity as related to emotional distress captures the essential legal principle regarding the validity of an offer.