Contract Lawyers Diligently Serving Clients in Marietta & All of Georgia
Ideally, a person’s word would be good enough to strike a bargain, but that’s not how businesses and partnerships are reliably built. To make sure all sides deliver as promised, a well-written contract is often required. Indeed, such a contract is recommended. Even in cases where both parties have good and decent motives, some factors to an agreement, if not well documented, can easily be forgotten. It is best to have all details spelled out plainly in a contract that all involved must sign their names to, which helps to mitigate any misunderstandings that may arise between the parties.
Having a strong, defendable contract is a time-tested way to protect your best interests in business and personal relations. One could even argue that the difficult aspects of a contract could be good for you too, as it may help keep you honest in the pursuit of your goals.
Whether you are looking to draw up new contracts or there is some conflict that has developed in relation to an already existing contract, it is advisable to seek legal representation to help you through this. At InPrime Legal, our contract attorneys have extensive experience handling business matters for our clients in the state of Georgia, with proven results of success.
Business owners looking for legal advice or simply seeking to better understand their rights in the contract negotiation process should hire attorneys for their contract cases. Contact our Marietta law office to schedule a free consultation where we can go over your contract case.
What Services Does a Contract Lawyer and Their Law Firm Provide?
At InPrime Legal, our attorneys assist business clients with several different matters in relation to contracts, including:
- Acquisition agreements.
- Agency agreements.
- Amendments.
- Breach of contract.
- Business contracts.
- Commercial leasing agreement.
- Confidentiality agreements.
- Contract disputes.
- Employment contracts.
- Equipment leases and contracts.
- Fraud
- Independent contractor agreements.
- Non-compete clauses and other restrictive covenants.
- Non-disclosure agreements.
- Partnership agreements.
- Real estate contracts.
- Sale and lease contract negotiation.
- Sales and marketing contract.
- Service contracts.
Why is the Attorney-Client Relationship So Important to Us?
InPrime Legal operates differently than most business law firms. Instead of “bill you by the minute” legal services, we provide business owners with a subscription-based legal representation for a flat monthly fee. This model allows us to be proactive instead of reactive while tending to your legal needs.
When taking us on, we become your dedicated legal team. We will build a powerful working relationship with you over time and will always be there for you and your business’s legal needs.
Our quarterly meetings with you offer great opportunities to discuss and reassess your long-term objectives including how they relate to your legal strategy. We serve as your in-house legal department for you and your company. Whether you simply need a contract lawyer or if your business has other legal needs, InPrime Legal seeks to serve you and resolve any business law matters you may have.
What Are Alternatives to Contract Litigation?
A business going to court to defend its best interests is a business that is looking to defend its very name and image. Even if you win in the courts, sometimes the damages have already been done, and it can be difficult to rebuild the reputation your company once had
InPrime Legal believes in trying all other alternatives to contract litigation before ending up in court. Through confidential arbitration and mediation, we will use our resources and knowledge to negotiate a form of settlement so that each party can leave the dispute feeling satisfied. If you choose for us to represent you, it will be our mission to save you from the cost of business litigation.
Contract law can be hotly argued, especially in cases of breaches of contracts or some mishandling of confidential or time-sensitive information. And while many contracts may have some enforceable language which, ultimately, provides the threat of enforcement via the court system, as attorneys, we have been there, and we can say that it is better for each party to settle matters before entering into litigation. As your contract attorneys, we will work to ensure that your rights are defended and that all types of contract disputes are resolved, with any potential damages kept to a minimum.
Contracts are agreements creating mutual obligations. When one party doesn’t uphold those obligations, essentially breaking a promise, the other may sue for breach of contract. However, it’s common for disputes to arise regarding the material terms of the contract, the circumstances under which it was signed and even the legality of its subject matter.
So what makes a contract unenforceable, and how should you avoid entering into a bad contract?
Lack of capacity
For a contract to be valid, both parties must understand the agreement they’re entering into and be legally able to enter into an agreement in the first place. This means the party must be of age to enter into a contract (usually 18). Additionally, the mental capacity provision protects individuals who could be taken advantage of, like someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. It also makes it inadvisable to complete a contract with a party under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Duress
No one should be forced into entering a contract or threatened in any way. A contract cannot be enforced if the court finds one party was pressured unfairly into completing it. Duress includes dramatic examples like blackmail, but it can also include incidents like a boss pressuring an employee to sign a contract while threatening to fire. Undue influence, or excessive persuasion, can also make a contract unenforceable.
Misrepresentation
Both parties to a contract are expected to approach negotiations with honesty and openness. Misrepresentation occurs when one party misleads the other with an untrue point, drawing them into the contract based on this deception. During a home sale, this could mean being dishonest about known major issues or hiding structural defects with cosmetic dressing. Sometimes misrepresentation becomes fraud—typically when it centers on an intentional deception regarding a crucial part of the contract.
Public policy
A contract cannot be enforced when it covers something that’s illegal in the first place. For example, a contract regarding gambling or the sale of illegal drugs would already violate the law and could not be enforced.
Unconscionability
If a contract is blatantly unfair to one party, the court may consider it unenforceable. In these cases, the court will look at the circumstances surrounding the contract’s creation and may even enforce one part of the contract but not another.
Unwritten
While oral contracts are acceptable in some cases, Georgia law requires that the following types of agreements be made in writing:
- Promises to answer damages for oneself or for the debt of another
- Marriage-related agreements, like prenuptial agreements
- Contracts for the sale of land
- Agreements that won’t be performed within one year
- Promises to revive debts barred by a statute of limitations
- Commitments to lend money
Good contracts should be specific, with well-defined material terms. They need to cover potential outcomes that seem unlikely and be entered into in good faith. That’s why it’s vital to have a lawyer experienced in contract law draw up these important documents to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.
Free Exposure Inspection
Let our team proactively prevent legal exposure and operate as your in-house legal team by offering you a free exposure inspection. To learn more about how the experienced attorneys at InPrime can help reduce your legal threats and limit exposure, contact us at 770-282-8967.
Disclaimer: The blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from one of our licensed attorneys.
Should I Consult with Contract Lawyers in Georgia?
Avoid expensive contract litigation or business litigation and speak with a law firm who is there to help you through the complicated contract negotiation process. Whether you’re drafting new business contracts or are trying to settle a dispute after some type of contract breach, please contact us.
Schedule a free consultation with our law firm where we can better establish the ways in which we may represent you and help you through any contractual dispute you may have. 770-282-8967.