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 generally 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 Rensselaer

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Rensselaer contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being upfront about your intentions can help the contract goal of mutual understanding of expectations. To conclude negotiations, you may want to include a clause that determines what is to be done if a party fails to meet its duty.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Lawyers in Rensselaer, New York often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove provisions based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's advice, 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. An attorney can ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, both with form contracts and in negotiations. In Rensselaer, many Lawyers specialize in New York contract law.