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. 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 Hillsdale

Negotiating the specific terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Hillsdale contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being forthright about your intentions early on can be helpful, because it allows the terms of the contract to be determined 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. Attorneys practicing New Jersey law in Hillsdale can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your particular situation. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's assistance, there may be risks. First, using a form contract makes it more likely that one of the parties will not have understood the terms. This can lead to them 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 negotiate or use a form, an attorney can help ensure that the written contract matches your intent. Many Attorneys in Hillsdale are experts in New Jersey contract law.