When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In Missouri, contracts may be oral or written, as long as both parties have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement. Most businesses want to solidify their agreements in writing so that they can rely on them in the future. Since many legal principles may be involved, drafting a contract works best when done with as much knowledge of the law as possible.

Negotiating a Contract in Rolla

Negotiation of each specific term in a contract is important to ensure that the intent of each party is met. Also, there are certain clauses that should be included in every Rolla contract to give it the desired legal effect. Stating intentions clearly in the early stages of negotiations can lead to a contract that includes clearer terms. To conclude, the contracts that are easiest to enforce have clauses that determine how to handle disputes.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Attorneys in Rolla, Missouri often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove terms based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. However, form contracts can pose problems if they need to be interpreted by courts, especially if they are used without the help of an attorney. First, a party using a form contract may not have thoroughly read all the terms, and can thereby remain unaware of his performance obligations and liabilities if events do not go as planned. Second, form contracts often contain language that is specific 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. Attorneys in Rolla often specialize in Missouri contract law.