When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In New York, contracts might be oral or written, as long as both parties have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement. In business transactions, written contracts are typically preferred for their reliability. These documents are best drafted by those who understand the law, because the very reason for a contract is to legally obligate the parties.

Negotiating a Contract in Melville

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Melville contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being upfront about your intentions early on can be helpful, because it allows the terms of the contract to be decided 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

It may save you time to use a form contract instead of drafting your own. Even so, you may want an attorney in Melville, New York to add or remove terms, or to simply make the contract language more clear. There are risks to using a contract that neither party has written, particularly if you proceed without the guidance of an attorney. First, using a form contract makes it more likely that one of the parties will not have understood the clauses. This can lead to them being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, form contracts often use words and language understood only within the legal community. This may cause parties to agree to a clause they don't really understand. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Lawyers in Melville often specialize in New York contract law.