A contract in Alabama is an agreement about anything of value between two or more parties who intend the agreement to have legal effect. It may be oral or written, as long as all parties agree to the contractual terms. A written contract is usually preferred by most businesses, because that make the agreements more reliable. Contracts may involve legal principles, so they are best formed with a clear understanding of the law.

Negotiating a Contract in Athens

Along with specific clauses that should be included in every Athens contract for it to be valid, it is important to adequately discuss each term to make sure that the intent of each party is understood by the other. Being forthright about your intentions can help the contract goal of mutual understanding of expectations. To conclude negotiations, you may want to include a clause that determines what is to be done if a party fails to meet its duty.

Using a Form Contract

If an agreement needs a good starting point, you may want to consider a form contract. An attorney in Athens,Alabama can add or remove clauses according to the intent of the parties, and even the specific language can be made more comprehensible so that expectations are clear. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's assistance, there may be risks. First, parties are less likely to read form contracts thoroughly, which may lead to one side being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, using a contract that someone else has written can obligate the parties to a contract term that they do not understand. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Attorneys in Athens often specialize in Alabama contract law.