When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In New York, contracts may 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 usually 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 Schenectady
Negotiating the specific terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Schenectady contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. Being forthright 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
Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Attorneys practicing New York law in Schenectady can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your distinct situation. There are risks in using form contracts without the assistance of an attorney. First, using a form contract makes it more likely that one of the parties will not have understood the terms. This can lead to them being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, the difficult language used in the field of contracts can make agreements written by others challenging 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 Schenectady are experts of New York contract law.