When parties to an agreement intend it to have legal effect, that agreement is called a contract. In Ohio, 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 Butler County

Negotiation of each particular 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 Butler County contract to give it the desired legal effect. 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

Many Butler County, Ohio Lawyers 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 to using a contract that neither party has written, particularly if you proceed without the advice of an attorney. First, form contracts have the tendency to go unread. Any party who does not carefully review all the contract clauses can be left unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, form contracts will often contain language that is difficult to understand outside the legal community. This can cause disagreement over the meaning of a clause. An attorney can ensure that a written contract matches the intent of the parties, both with form contracts and in negotiations. In Butler County, many Lawyers specialize in Ohio contract law.