In Indiana, when two parties come to a mutually understood agreement that they intend to have legal force, a contract is formed. There are both written and oral contracts, since all that is required is that the parties agree and understand each other. Most businesses want to solidify their agreements in writing so that they can rely on them in the future. Since many legal principles may be involved, drafting a contract works best when done with as much knowledge of the law as possible.

Negotiating a Contract in Cumberland

There is more to a contract than what is required for it to be valid in Cumberland. The individual terms of the contract should all be discussed separately so that the intent of each party is understood by the other. Stating intentions clearly in the early stages of negotiations can lead to a contract that includes clearer terms. To conclude, the contracts that are easiest to enforce have clauses that determine how to handle disputes.

Using a Form Contract

Many Cumberland, Indiana Attorneys use form contracts as a template for any new agreement. The attorney will add or remove contract provisions that the parties want, plus modify the specific language of the form contract to meet the parties' needs. This usually saves all parties time and money. However, form contracts can pose problems if they need to be interpreted by courts, especially if they are used without the assistance of an attorney. First, parties are less likely to read form contracts thoroughly, which may lead to one side being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, form contracts often use words and language understood only within the legal community. This may cause parties to agree to a term they don't really understand. Attorneys can help ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, whether negotiating a contract or using a form. Indiana contract law is a field in which many Cumberland Attorneys have specialized.