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 Spring Lake Heights

Negotiating the specific terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Spring Lake Heights contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. 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

If an agreement needs a good starting point, you may want to consider a form contract. An attorney in Spring Lake Heights,New Jersey can add or remove clauses according to the intent of the parties, and even the specific language can be made more comprehensible so that expectations are 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 Spring Lake Heights often specialize in New Jersey contract law.