In Massachusetts, 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. 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 Harvard

Negotiating the specific terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Harvard contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. The terms of the contract may be determined based on clear expectations if both parties are forthright about their intentions early on. Also, parties may want to discuss whether they need a provision for resolving any disputes under the contract.

Using a Form Contract

If an agreement needs a good starting point, you may want to consider a form contract. An attorney in Harvard,Massachusetts can add or remove clauses according to the intent of the parties, and even the specific language can be made more comprehensible so that expectations are clear. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's help, there may be risks. 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 will often contain language that is difficult to understand outside the legal community. This can cause disagreement over the meaning of a term. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Attorneys in Harvard often specialize in Massachusetts contract law.