A document can be considered a contract, even if it is one that is simply signed through the ordinary course of business. If they are held legally binding, purchase orders, receipts, sales agreements and others are properly classified as contracts.. As a legally binding agreement, a contract must be fully understood in order for its legal consequences to be appreciated. Not expecting a contract's enforcement is generally no excuse under the law.

How Can I Ensure a Contract is Good?

As a general rule, read anything before you sign it. As you read it, make certain you understand the sections that state your obligations. However, documents can often be too lengthy for a worthwhile read, or so commonplace that reading each one is not practical. Luckily, there are other way to make sure the contract is correct. An attorney in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey can review any contract before you sign it, whether it is a standardized document or a negotiated agreement. Attorneys review contracts to ensure that the intent of their client is given proper legal expression within the written documents.

What if I Don't Understand a Contract in New Jersey?

The words of a contract are meant to simply express an agreement between two parties. They are not the agreement itself. It is your understanding of the contract that generally matters most, regardless of cumbersome contract language. Since you will be bound by your understanding of a contract, it is unwise to rely too heavily on the other party's representation of your duties. A neutral third party in Woodcliff Lake can be hired to review and explain the contract. Contract negotiations, especially in the context of specific fields such as finance, can be time consuming and difficult. But as in all contracts, the objective is to record the intent of the parties so that their agreement will be given legal effect under New Jersey law.