{"id":4345,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/drafting-contracts.html"},"modified":"2024-08-13T14:43:43","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:43:43","slug":"drafting-contracts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-contracts-forms\/drafting-contracts.html","title":{"rendered":"Drafting Contracts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Drafting Contracts<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and senior-level managers must draft contracts to meet their business needs. As part of running a business, including a startup, you might need to write employment contracts, service contracts, nondisclosure agreements, independent contractor agreements, and joint venture contracts.<\/p>\r\n

These legal documents form the bedrock of many business transactions and business relationships. Of course, some contracts require the expertise of a qualified business attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

FindLaw’s Drafting Contracts section provides a general understanding of how to write legally defensible contracts. It includes articles on commonly misused contract terms, a primer on contract drafting, and an overview of different types of contracts. It also provides contract templates, such as sample sales agreements and related resources.<\/p>\r\n

Write a Business Contract: Key Considerations<\/h2>\r\n

All valid contracts, whether an employment agreement or a service agreement, follow some basic rules. One party forms a contract by offering an exchange of value, which the other party accepts. There are many guides to contract drafting, but there are some key elements that all legal contracts require:<\/p>\r\n