As a small business owner, one thing that you might be wondering is why it is important to have contracts with the people and companies you do business with. To put it simply, contracts are the backbone of your business — and your business relationships.

They’re important because they outline the full expectations for both parties, and what will happen if those expectations aren’t met. In other words, they PROTECT your business by documenting the full understanding of the relationship so that there aren’t any misunderstandings later down the road.

Nobody wants a misunderstanding. Business disputes can lead to a lot of wasted time and money on your end — not to mention, they’re a huge headache. And should something go wrong, your contract is enforceable by law and will be able to support you if you decide to take legal action.

What should a business contract include?

Here’s what a standard contract includes:

  • Scope of work
  • Timeline
  • Payment amounts and terms
  • Circumstances under which the contract can be terminated and how that will be handled
  • Terms related to failed obligations

A word to the wise: Always have an attorney review or draft your contracts. Many business owners mistakenly think that using an online template, or writing a contract themselves, will save them money — but that’s the furthest from the truth. Although it may be tempting to use an online template, hiring an experienced lawyer will ultimately save you money in the long run, and here’s why.

You should have contracts with anyone you do business with, whether it’s your employees, clients, partners, shareholders, service providers, contractors, vendors, or insurers.

Contract development is just one thing that our team can help you with.

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I left a voicemail for Tom late Sunday evening and received a phone call first thing the next morning.

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Tom provided sound and logical advice, during a very stressful and uncertain time. At times I asked him to be more aggressive and was often met with the pros and cons of that decision, allowing me to understand the approach and thought process behind his strategy.

Ultimately he provided options for several paths for us to take, worked swiftly, and got us where we needed to be.

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As someone with very high expectations, I would highly recommend his services. He provided expertise that proved to be successful, and also took the time to make sure I was emotionally solid.

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What was thought to be a simple breach of contract turned into a nightmare. Through their tenacity and their deep knowledge of the law, we were successful. There is no reason to look any further as you will not get any better representation than this firm. I highly recommend them and strongly suggest that if you are considering starting a business or are already managing one, this firm will guide you, avoiding the troubled waters businesses sometimes find themselves in.

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