Contract Drafting Tips

Drafting a contract can be a stressful ordeal because if a crucial point is left out of the final draft, you might be subject to problems. No matter what the type of contract – employment, services, rental, or otherwise – a contract is the defining agreement between two parties, and will set the structure of their relationship.

Here are a few important contract drafting tips:

Contract Drafting Tip #1: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Before you even begin to set the language for a contract, get everything you will need together. Determine the terms of your contract, any necessary provisions, and make sure that the terms are fair on both sides.

Contract Drafting Tip #2: Look at Sample Forms

You can find sample contract forms at several websites, including FindLaw, LawDepot, and LegalDocs. Although you will have to personalize your own contract, you can see what type of language is used and you may discover provisions that you never thought to include.

Contract Drafting Tip #3: Don’t Rely on Standard Forms

Your situation is unique, which means that your contract should likewise be specific. If you use a standard form for all of your business transactions, you could be failing to adequately protect yourself. Instead, use the sample forms as guidelines, and personalize it from there.

Contract Drafting Tip #4: Prepare a Template

If you are going to be contracting with several people, make it easier on yourself and prepare a contract template. You can use that template over and over by just changing the names, the payment and the deliverables as necessary. Not only that, but the other party will be more likely to comply with your terms if you use your own standard contract.

Contract Drafting Tip #5: Make it Official

Your contract should not be a simple document written on a white sheet of paper. You might want to include your own header, your own watermark, or other personalized additions. A professional, clean contract will appear more attractive to associates regardless of what it contains, and will give you a more businesslike presentation

Contract Drafting Tip #6: Use Addendums

If you have a standard contract that you use for all of your business dealings, use addendums rather than changing the contract at will. Addendums are additions to a primary contract that detail the specific provisions of a particular business partnership. For example, if you are a website designer, you can use a standard website designing contract, then use addendums to detail the exact requests of your clients. This will save time and will allow you to personalize each contract.

Contract Drafting Tip #7: Have an Attorney Look It Over

When you have finished drafting your contract, have an attorney look it over to make sure that it is all-inclusive. This will cost much less than asking an attorney to write your contract, but will protect you all the same. Take his or her recommendations to heart, and fix whatever is said to be too vague or unclear.