Which of the following is NOT considered an element of a contract?

In contract law, several essential elements must be present for a contract to be considered valid and enforceable. Among these elements are capable parties, mutual consent, and a lawful objective.

Capable parties refer to individuals or entities that have the legal capacity to enter into a contract. This means that they must be of legal age and sound mind. Mutual consent involves an agreement between the parties, indicating that both sides understand and accept the terms of the contract. A lawful objective means that the contract's purpose must not violate any laws or public policy.

Financial gain, while often a motivating factor for entering into a contract, is not a fundamental element that must exist for a contract to be valid. Contracts can be entered into for various reasons, including exchange of services or fulfillment of obligations, and not solely for financial benefit. Therefore, the presence of financial gain is not necessary for a contract's legality or enforcement, making it the correct answer as it does not belong to the core elements of a contract.