You can use contracts in a wide variety of situations.
A contract is a specific kind of agreement that is enforceable by law once entered into. Contracts must contain specific elements as required by state law before they are legally valid, and incorrectly drafting your own contract can lead to a court later determining it is unenforceable. While creating a simple contract is usually easy to do, you should always consult an attorney whenever you create a legal document or need legal advice.
Instructions
1. Begin with an opening paragraph. Most contracts start with a "preamble," a paragraph that states some very basic information. The preamble should identify each person or organization participating in the contract, known as parties, as well as the date at which the parties reach the agreement.
2. State the terms. The contract needs to specify what each party's responsibilities are in the agreement. For example, if you create a contract between a contractor and a homeowner to remove a tree, the contract should state what the contractor's obligations are (removing the tree) and what the homeowner's responsibilities are (paying the contractor the agreed upon fee).
3. Include signatures. Each party to the contract should sign and date the document at the end of the contract. The signature block should include space for a signature, a printed name and the signer's address and title or relationship to the contract. You can, but are not always required to, have your contract notarized by signing it in front of a licensed notary.
4. Provide copies. Whenever you enter into a contractual agreement, you should always give each party a copy of the original agreement so everyone can refer to it in the event of a future conflict or disagreement.
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