In Massachusetts, when two parties come to a mutually understood agreement that they intend to have legal force, a contract is created. There are both written and oral contracts, since all that is required is that the parties agree and understand each other. Businesses most often prefer the reliability of written contracts in their transactions. These instruments are best written by those with an expertise of the law, since the intent behind a contract is to give it legal effect.

Negotiating a Contract in Andover

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Andover contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being upfront about your intentions early on can be helpful, because it allows the terms of the contract to be decided based on clear expectations. Lastly, a clause that determines how to handle a dispute under the contract may be worthwhile to negotiate.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Lawyers in Andover, Massachusetts often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove clauses based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's advice, there may be risks. First, parties are less likely to read form contracts completely, which may lead to one side being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, the challenging language used in the field of contracts can make agreements written by others challenging to understand. Lawyers can help ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, whether negotiating a contract or using a form. Massachusetts contract law is a field in which many Andover Lawyers have specialized.