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 Wellsville

Negotiation of each specific term in a contract is important to ensure that the intent of each party is met. Also, there are certain clauses that should be included in every Wellsville contract to give it the desired legal effect. The terms of the contract may be determined based on clear expectations if both parties are forthright about their intentions early on. Also, parties may want to discuss whether they need a provision for resolving any disputes under the contract.

Using a Form Contract

Many Wellsville, New York Attorneys use form contracts as a template for any new agreement. The attorney will add or remove contract provisions that the parties want, plus modify the specific language of the form contract to meet the parties' needs. This usually saves all parties time and money. There are risks in using form contracts without the assistance of an attorney. First, form contracts have the tendency to go unread. Any party who does not carefully review all the contract terms can be left unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, using a contract that someone else has written can obligate the parties to a contract term that they do not understand. An attorney can ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, both with form contracts and in negotiations. In Wellsville, many Attorneys specialize in New York contract law.