[saquatch84]

Hey guys, I run a small web-development firm with my business partner, and we'd like to start drawing up contracts to go with our signed customer specifications. Do we need to see a lawyer to check to make sure they will be legal? Or can we do them ourselves? - and if so, how legally binding will they be?

[chriswick]

Answer: What Makes a Contract Legally Valid

[stand856]

great article thanks

[saquatch84]

Thanks for the reply - its resolved a lot of my questions

[AstarothSolutions]

You dont need a solicitor but they are highly advisable - for webdesign they should be able to create a generic template where you just copy and paste the individual details for each client/ project

[consumertreehouse]

Always consult with a lawyer. Even thought there are a lot of business related things I would of done on my own; forming my LLC, Trademarks, Copyrighting, etc....I always consult with a lawyer and have them review all the paperwork that I have filled out.

[artistport]

Great question, that link chriswick provided helped me also. I would think making your own contracts is legal, make sure your clients read it carefully because you don't want any problems.

[dfveteran]

As far as i know, an electronic signature or real signature is all you need for a contract to be legal. Then anything on the contract is legal binding to the person/s who signed.

And yes get a lawyer to word it so you dont break any laws.

[akula]

Originally Posted by dfveteran

As far as i know, an electronic signature or real signature is all you need for a contract to be legal. Then anything on the contract is legal binding to the person/s who signed.

not really. contracts don't need to be signed to be valid, and not everything in a contract is enforceable. some terms may be inequitable and become severed from the rest of the contract...such as unreasonably penalty provisions, or non compete clauses.

[ADVERTISE HERE!]

Its not about breaking laws, its about the enforceabilit of the contract. Yes, you can write your own contract, but no, it's not a good idea. An attorney should be able to draw up a contract for a few hundred dollars and tell you how to set up the electronic signature so as to make the contract enforceable. Good luck.

[dfveteran]

Originally Posted by akula

not really. contracts don't need to be signed to be valid, and not everything in a contract is enforceable. some terms may be inequitable and become severed from the rest of the contract...such as unreasonably penalty provisions, or non compete clauses.

Cool thats good to know