The general rule is that dead persons cannot enter into contracts. But the rule goes even further than that. For example, in the case of Jordan v. Dobbins (122 Mass. 168 (Mass. 1877)), Jordan had sold goods to a guy named Moore on credit, knowing that Dobbins had cosigned the loan. Dobbins died and Moore defaulted. Jordan sued Dobbins' estate. The Court found for Dobbins' estate, claiming that no consideration passed to Dobbins for guaranteeing Moore's loan. They also claimed that since Dobbins wasn't legally obligated to do anything until Moore defaulted, he was dead when the contract became enforceable, and you can't enter into contracts after you die. So basically, even if you enter into a contract while alive, if the first time you are required to perform is after you are dead, the contract is unenforceable.