In South Dakota, 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. The reliability of written contracts usually make them the preferred means for businesses to transact. Since the intent of a contract is to be legally effective, they are best formed by those who understand the law.

Negotiating a Contract in Yankton

Negotiating the particular terms of a contract is crucial. There are several terms that should be included in every Yankton contract to ensure that the agreement protects the interests of the parties. 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 Yankton, South Dakota to add or remove clauses, 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 Yankton often specialize in South Dakota contract law.