A contract in Delaware 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. Businesses most often prefer the reliability of written contracts in their transactions. These instruments are best written by those with an understanding of the law, since the intent behind a contract is to give it legal effect.

Negotiating a Contract in Elsmere

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 Elsmere 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 Delaware law in Elsmere 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, 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, 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. Whether you negotiate or use a form, an attorney can help ensure that the written contract matches your intent. Many Attorneys in Elsmere are experts in Delaware contract law.