In Michigan, 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. In business transactions, written contracts are generally preferred for their reliability. These documents are best drafted by those who understand the law, because the very reason for a contract is to legally obligate the parties.

Negotiating a Contract in St. Joseph

Negotiating the specific terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every St. Joseph contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being forthright about your intentions can help the contract goal of mutual understanding of expectations. To conclude negotiations, you may want to include a clause that determines what is to be done if a party fails to meet its duty.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Attorneys in St. Joseph, Michigan often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove provisions based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. There are risks to using a contract that neither party has written, especially if you proceed without the help of an attorney. First, parties using form contracts often do not read all the terms, and can therefore be unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, the difficult language used in the field of contracts can make agreements written by others difficult to understand. Whether you decide to negotiate a contract or use a form contract, an attorney will be able to help you ensure that the written instrument matches your intent. Many lawyers practicing in St. Joseph are experts of Michigan contract law.