In Oregon, a contract is different from a normal agreement in that the parties to a contract intend their agreement to have legal effect. Contracts might be oral or written, as long as both parties have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement. Most businesses want to solidify their agreements in writing so that they can rely on them in the future. Since many legal principles might be involved, drafting a contract works best when done with as much knowledge of the law as possible.

Negotiating a Contract in St. Helens

Along with particular clauses that should be included in every St. Helens contract for it to be valid, it is important to adequately discuss each term to make sure that the intent of each party is understood by the other. Stating intentions clearly in the early stages of negotiations can lead to a contract that includes clearer terms. To conclude, the contracts that are easiest to enforce have clauses that decide how to handle disputes.

Using a Form Contract

It may save you time to use a form contract instead of drafting your own. Even so, you may want an attorney in St. Helens, Oregon to add or remove terms, or to simply make the contract language more clear. There are risks in using form contracts without the advice of an attorney. First, parties are less likely to read form contracts completely, which may lead to one side being unaware of their duties under the contract. Second, using a contract that someone else has written can obligate the parties to a contract clause that they do not understand. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Lawyers in St. Helens often specialize in Oregon contract law.