When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In New Jersey, contracts may be oral or written, as long as both parties have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement. A written contract is typically preferred by most businesses, because that make the agreements more reliable. Contracts may involve legal principles, so they are best formed with a clear understanding of the law.

Negotiating a Contract in Burlington County

Along with specific clauses that should be included in every Burlington County contract for it to be valid, it is important to adequately discuss each term to make sure that the intent of each party is understood by the other. 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 Burlington County, New Jersey 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. There are risks in using form contracts without the assistance of an attorney. 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, the difficult language used in the field of contracts can make agreements written by others hard 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 Burlington County are experts of New Jersey contract law.