Some contracts seem clear on paper, but that doesn’t mean they’ll hold up in court. Many people assume that as long as something is written down and signed, it’s legally binding. In reality, a contract has to meet certain legal standards before it can be enforced. Your Des Moines, Iowa business contract lawyer can help you make sure those standards are met.
At Law Group of Iowa, we’ve spent over 23 years providing personalized legal support for our clients. Many of these clients were surprised to learn that the contract they had originally relied on wasn’t enforceable. Whether you’re writing a new agreement or trying to understand one you’ve already signed, it’s worth knowing what could make a contract invalid from the start.
Some Contracts Are Missing Required Parts
For a contract to be enforceable, it usually needs a few basic parts: an offer, acceptance, consideration (meaning something of value exchanged), and mutual intent to be bound by the agreement. If any one of these is missing, the agreement may not be legally binding. For example, if one party agrees to do something but receives nothing in return, courts might say there’s no valid contract because there was no consideration.
Some People Don’t Have The Legal Ability To Sign
Even if a contract looks solid on paper, it might still be void if one of the people who signed it wasn’t legally able to do so. Minors, for example, usually can’t be held to contracts. Someone who was under the influence or mentally unfit at the time of signing might also have a valid reason to walk away from the deal.
Some Agreements Break The Law
No contract can be enforced if it asks someone to do something illegal. That might sound obvious, but legal issues can pop up in unexpected ways. For instance, an agreement to pay someone “under the table” to avoid taxes wouldn’t be enforceable, even if both sides agreed to it. Or, a non-compete clause that’s too broad might violate state law and get thrown out.
Some Contracts Must Be In Writing
While many verbal agreements are legally valid, in the world of small business law, many contracts must be written down to be enforceable. These include agreements related to real estate, contracts that take more than a year to complete, and certain promises related to debts. If those aren’t in writing, a court may refuse to enforce them.
It Helps To Review Before You Rely
Before you sign anything—or before you act on an agreement someone else signed—it’s smart to have it reviewed. A business contract lawyer can look for any gaps or legal problems that could make the document fall apart later. It’s a step that can save you a lot of time and money down the road.
Contact Us Today
At Law Group of Iowa, we help our clients make sure their contracts are built to last, and with a legal portfolio ranging from business contracts to estate planning, we offer a range of perspectives for every need. If you have questions about an agreement or need help drafting one that works, we’re here to help. Reach out to schedule a conversation and get the support you need to move forward with confidence.
