A contract in California is an agreement about something 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 typically 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 Palm Desert

There is more to a contract than what is required for it to be valid in Palm Desert. 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

Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Lawyers practicing California law in Palm Desert can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your particular situation. However, form contracts can pose problems if they need to be interpreted by courts, particularly if they are used without the advice of an attorney. First, a party using a form contract may not have completely read all the terms, and can thereby remain unaware of his performance obligations and liabilities if events do not go as planned. Second, form contracts will often contain language that is difficult to understand outside the legal community. This can cause disagreement over the meaning of a clause. Lawyers can help ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, whether negotiating a contract or using a form. California contract law is a field in which many Palm Desert Lawyers have specialized.