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 typically 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 Orange Beach

There is more to a contract than what is required for it to be valid in Orange Beach. The specific 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 start 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

If an agreement needs a good starting point, you may want to consider a form contract. An attorney in Orange Beach,Alabama can add or remove terms according to the intent of the parties, and even the specific language can be made more comprehensible so that expectations are clear. There are risks to using a contract that neither party has written, especially if you proceed without the assistance of an attorney. First, form contracts have the tendency to go unread. Any party who does not carefully review all the contract terms can be left unaware of their obligations 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. An attorney can ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, both with form contracts and in negotiations. In Orange Beach, many Attorneys specialize in Alabama contract law.