Kern v. Huidekoper was a United States Supreme Court case that dealt with the issue of whether a contract between two parties was valid. The case involved a contract between the plaintiff, Kern, and the defendant, Huidekoper, for the sale of a tract of land. Kern had agreed to sell the land to Huidekoper for a certain sum of money, but Huidekoper had failed to make the payment. Kern then sued Huidekoper for breach of contract. The Supreme Court held that the contract between Kern and Huidekoper was valid and enforceable. The Court noted that the contract was supported by consideration, meaning that both parties had given something of value in exchange for the other's promise. The Court also noted that the contract was not void for lack of consideration, as Huidekoper had promised to pay a certain sum of money for the land. The Court also held that Kern was entitled to damages for Huidekoper's breach of contract. The Court noted that Kern had suffered a loss due to Huidekoper's failure to make the payment, and that Kern was entitled to be compensated for that loss. In conclusion, the Supreme Court held that the contract between Kern and Huidekoper was valid and enforceable, and that Kern was entitled to damages for Huidekoper's breach of contract. The Court's decision established that contracts must be supported by consideration and that parties who breach contracts are liable for damages.

In Kern v. Huidekoper, the Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a contract between two parties could be enforced when one of them had died before it was fully executed. The majority opinion held that the contract should not be enforced because it had not been completed by both parties prior to death and thus did not meet all of the requirements for enforceability under state law. Justice Field dissented from this decision, arguing that since no fraud or mistake occurred in entering into the agreement, there were sufficient grounds for enforcing its terms despite one party's death. He argued further that if contracts are only enforceable when both parties have signed them prior to either's death then many agreements would never come to fruition due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness or injury which may prevent completion of an agreement before either party passes away.