In Utah, 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. In business transactions, written contracts are usually 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 Salt Lake City
Along with particular clauses that should be included in every Salt Lake City 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. 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
Using a form contract as a baseline for your agreement may save you time. Lawyers practicing Utah law in Salt Lake City can be helpful in selecting the right form, and can also revise the contract to make it the best fit for your distinct situation. If the parties attempt to use a form contract without an attorney's advice, there may be risks. First, using a form contract makes it more likely that one of the parties will not have understood the clauses. This can lead to them being unaware of their duties 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. With either a negotiated contract or a form, an attorney can ensure that the written document matches the intent of each party. Lawyers in Salt Lake City often specialize in Utah contract law.