WHEN DO YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A CONTRACT – AND WHEN CAN YOU HANDLE IT YOURSELF
“I thought it was simple… until I got a pre-litigation letter.”
Martin signed a basic cooperation agreement with his friend, a graphic designer. No lawyer, just a downloaded online template, signed quickly. But when the designer failed to deliver, Martin hired someone else. Then came a letter from the designer’s attorney: breach of contract, claim for lost profits. Martin realized that some contract clauses actually worked against him.
When can you use a template, when do you need a lawyer, what types of contracts are risky, what a lawyer can catch, and why legal help often pays off before problems arise.
🧑⚖️ When you really need a lawyer:
If the contract involves significant amounts or long-term obligations
If it’s about rentals, property transfers, donations, or loans
If you’re unsure about wording or consequences
If the other party is represented by a lawyer
If a dispute has already occurred or is likely
📝 When you might draft the contract yourself (but be cautious!):
Simple agreements between family or friends
If the document has no legal effect and serves as an internal draft
If you have it reviewed by a legal expert
➡️ But still: every contract carries legal consequences. There’s no such thing as “just in case” without risk.
📚 Real-life example:
A client signed a 5-year lease agreement without consulting a lawyer. He thought a template was safe enough. But the contract lacked a termination clause and provisions for cost-sharing. After one year, he wanted to leave – but the contract didn’t allow it without a hefty penalty.
✅ Lawyer’s recommendation:
Legal services aren’t just for complex cases.
Even for simple contracts, a lawyer can highlight risks, fine-tune the wording, and prevent future disputes. The cost of a legal consultation is far lower than the cost of fixing a mistake.
Not sure if you need a lawyer for your contract?
Contact me – we’ll quickly figure out whether a simple review is enough, or whether the document needs a more thorough approach.
Contact a legal professional – I specialize in contract law.
Learn more here.
- Publikováno:
- Naposledy aktualizováno: 28/06/2025
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WHEN DO YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A CONTRACT – AND WHEN CAN YOU HANDLE IT YOURSELF
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