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 Greenfield

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Greenfield 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

Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Lawyers practicing Massachusetts law in Greenfield can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your distinct 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, using a form contract makes it more likely that one of the parties will not have understood the clauses. This can lead to them being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, form contracts often contain language that is particular to the field of law, and using forms without an understanding of this language can cause future disagreements over a contract's meaning. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Lawyers in Greenfield often specialize in Massachusetts contract law.