Regardless of where we work, the field we work in, the lifestyle we live, or who we love, we eventually run into the confusing world of contracts at some point in our adult life. It doesn’t matter if you are in digital marketing or the military, you have signed contracts for a range of services. Regardless of when or why you are signing a contract, from bank loans to new apartments, always read the fine print before you sign a contract.
No matter what kind of contract you have in front of you, make sure to read before you sign. Read as much as you can, and read every section, paragraph, sentence, and detail. Pay attention to how things are worded as well, because that could potentially create a problem in the future. If you find yourself getting lost between the lines, contact a lawyer - whether it be a business lawyer or one that specializes in the type of contract you are signing - to help you fully understand what you are agreeing to. If you feel pressured to sign at any point, call a lawyer because there may be a hidden message in the contract.
Do not rely on verbal promises when signing - or “signing” - a contract. Especially if there are high costs involved or you stand to lose significantly if things go wrong, you need everything in the written word. If the person you are dealing with refuses to do so, reconsider the deal you are able to make. A critical part of getting things in writing include the terms to cancel. Terms to cancel may result in heavy fines or other significant losses, so you want to understand these before you make the decision to “back out” of a contract if that comes up.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but never sign a blank contract. It is important to remember this regardless, because you may find yourself in a situation wherein you face a blank contract and feel pressured to sign it. It doesn’t matter if you are faced with government contract consulting or something much smaller, never sign a blank contract because it can be used to significantly harm you, financially and otherwise.
So, before you sign a contract, make sure you understand what you are signing. Fully understand what you are agreeing to, because not doing so can cause irreversible legal or financial damage. Always understand what you’re signing when confronted with a contract.
