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

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 Columbiana contract to give it the desired legal effect. 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 Ohio law in Columbiana can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your individual situation. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's help, there may be risks. First, parties using form contracts often do not read all the terms, and can therefore be unaware of their obligations under the contract. Second, the difficult 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 Columbiana, many Attorneys specialize in Ohio contract law.