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 generally 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 Pinson

There is more to a contract than what is required for it to be valid in Pinson. The individual terms of the contract should all be discussed separately so that the intent of each party is understood by the other. Stating your intentions clearly at the outset of negotiations is helpful, since then the parties may carefully detail the obligations and duties of the contract based on mutual expectations. Also, you may want to negotiate a process that can be followed should one party not fulfill its end of the contract.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Attorneys in Pinson, Alabama often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove provisions based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. However, form contracts can pose problems if they need to be interpreted by courts, especially if they are used without the assistance of an attorney. First, parties using form contracts often do not read all the terms, and can therefore be unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, form contracts often contain language that is specific to the field of law, and using forms without an understanding of this language can cause future disagreements over a contract's meaning. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Attorneys in Pinson often specialize in Alabama contract law.