A contract in California 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. The reliability of written contracts usually make them the preferred means for businesses to transact. Since the intent of a contract is to be legally effective, they are best formed by those who understand the law.

Negotiating a Contract in Citrus Heights

Negotiation of each specific term in a contract is important to ensure that the intent of each party is met. Also, there are certain clauses that should be included in every Citrus Heights contract to give it the desired legal effect. Stating your intentions clearly at the beginning 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

Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Attorneys practicing California law in Citrus Heights can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your distinct situation. Using a form contract without the assistance of an attorney may pose problems. First, a party using a form contract may not have thoroughly read all the terms, and can thereby remain unaware of his performance obligations and liabilities if events do not go as planned. Second, the difficult language used in the field of contracts can make agreements written by others challenging to understand. Whether you negotiate or use a form, an attorney can help ensure that the written contract matches your intent. Many Attorneys in Citrus Heights are experts in California contract law.