Some documents that are simply signed through the normal course of business are still contracts. These include purchase orders, receipts, and sales agreements, among others. Understanding your end of any such agreements is necessary so that you can be aware of any legal consequences. You may be legally accountable for a contract, even if your understanding is incomplete.

How Can I Ensure a Contract is Good?

A careful reading is necessary before you sign any document. Pay special attention to the terms that outline your responsibilities and duties. If the document is too lengthy for a worthwhile read, or it is so commonplace that reading it is not practical, there are still other ways you can effectively review it. Whether they are routine documents or negotiated agreements, an attorney in Napa County, California can review any contract before you sign it. In reviewing a contract, a lawyer will ensure that your intent is what shows up in the written document.

What if I Don't Understand a Contract in California?

The words of a contract are the expression of an agreement, not the agreement itself. It is the parties' understanding of the contract as it is made that determines its legal effect, regardless of the specific words used. Given that your understanding of the contract is what matters, problems might result if you rely exclusively on the other party's representation of the contract terms. There are third parties in Napa County who are qualified to review and explain contracts. Regardless of how complicated the negotiations in a specific field may be, giving the intent of the parties legal effect is the objective of all contracts under California law.