Documents simply signed through the course of ordinary business may still be considered contracts. Purchase orders, receipts, sales agreements and others can be held legally binding under certain circumstances. As a legally binding agreement, a contract must be fully understood in order for its legal consequences to be appreciated. Not expecting a contract's enforcement is generally no excuse under the law.

How Can I Ensure a Contract is Good?

As a general rule, read anything before you sign it. As you read it, make sure you understand the sections that state your obligations. However, documents can often be too long for a worthwhile read, or so commonplace that reading each one is not practical. If so, there are still other ways you can effectively review it. Whether they are routine documents or negotiated agreements, an attorney in Belchertown, Massachusetts can review any contract before you sign it. In reviewing a contract, a lawyer will ensure that your intent is what shows up in the written document.

What if I Don't Understand a Contract in Massachusetts?

A contract is a written form of an agreement, not the agreement itself. Contract language is cumbersome, but it is your understanding of the actual agreement that generally matters most. Since it's your understanding that matters, relying on the other party's explanation of the contract terms can lead to problems. In Belchertown, you can find a neutral third party that is qualified to review and explain the contract. Certain fields, such as finance, may pose certain demands in contract law that can be cumbersome. But regardless of the situation, a contract under Massachusetts law is to give legal effect to the intent of the forming parties.