In Texas, a contract is different from a normal agreement in that the parties to a contract intend their agreement to have legal effect. Contracts may be oral or written, as long as both parties have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement. The reliability of written contracts typically 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 Bexar County

Along with specific clauses that should be included in every Bexar County 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 your intentions clearly at the start of negotiations is helpful, since then the parties may carefully detail the obligations and duties of the contract based on mutual expectations. Also, you may want to negotiate a process that can be followed should one party not fulfill its end of the contract.

Using a Form Contract

Form contracts can serve as a good starting point for a sound agreement. Attorneys in Bexar County, Texas often keep past contracts on file, and can add or remove terms based on the situation. They can also reword the specific language of form contracts to make them more clear. There are risks in using form contracts without the assistance of an attorney. First, parties are less likely to read form contracts thoroughly, 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 term 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. Attorneys in Bexar County often specialize in Texas contract law.