When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In New Jersey, contracts might 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 expertise of the law, since the intent behind a contract is to give it legal effect.

Negotiating a Contract in Old Tappan

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Old Tappan contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. The terms of the contract may be decided based on clear expectations if both parties are upfront 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

Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Lawyers practicing New Jersey law in Old Tappan can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your individual situation. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's guidance, there may be risks. First, parties using form contracts often do not read all the clauses, and can therefore be unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, the challenging 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 Old Tappan are experts of New Jersey contract law.