Legal documents play an essential role in protecting the interests of a person or a business. Before signing any document of this type, you want to ensure the action doesn’t impose any risks. Ultimately, you want a lawyer to review legal documents that can impact your finances, responsibilities, and time.
A lawyer can review any agreement, contract, or document of your choice, even those that don’t require your signature. Learn more about the process below.
Legal document vetting refers to the careful examination of a document that will be executed. Legal review of contracts or agreements requires due diligence of every part of the agreement to ensure all necessary safeguards are present. A poorly drafted legal document creates confusion and can weaken a party’s stance.
A legal document needs to be understood and analyzed as per its wording. There should be no unintended words and no additional meaning that can be drawn from them. That’s why an experienced lawyer should have your legal documents vetted before you send or use them.
Here’s an overview of the documents you may want to have reviewed.
Having lawyers with a litigation background review your business documents can help you save time and money in the long run. You can identify the potential pitfalls and negotiate the terms in your favour.
Also, you can get a fresh legal perspective on your file. Business owners mainly perceive the legal documents through the lens of marketing, loss, profit, or similar factors. A lawyer views them without the competitive business pressure that can be a distraction.
Another reason to have your business documents reviewed is for error insurance. You can’t sue yourself for making a mistake on one of your agreements, but you can take action against a legal professional. This isn’t something a lawyer will be glad to hear, but ultimately, it’s why you purchase the error and omission insurance.
Finally, you want to ensure that what you’re about to sign is in your best interest. This is especially true when signing business contracts brought to you by other parties. Their lawyer may well have written the draft to cover their interests alone. Having your agreement reviewed by a lawyer will protect in the same way as the other party.
Here’s a list of business agreements and contracts you may want to have reviewed by a lawyer:
This document, also known as POA, gives legal permission for another person to act on your behalf if you cannot sign documents, write checks, or deal with other legal matters. Many business owners use this document to elect someone to sign legal documents for them.
Whenever you enter into a binding and enforceable agreement voluntarily, you should be sure your needs are protected. That’s why it’s best to have a lawyer review any contract before you sign it.
Alternatively, a lawyer can suggest changes that would be in your best interest. Also, they’ll make sure the contract is admissible in court and free of loopholes.
Lease agreements organize all aspects of a lease arrangement in a single document. They help you protect your rights and obligations. Without having the agreement signed by both parties, you can’t start the landlord-tenant relationship. That’s why a lawyer should go over it before sending it to the other party for signing.
Landlords and tenants may be required to break their lease earlier than planned. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, you should have the information provided in this agreement double-checked by the lawyer.
This document is commonly referred to as a living will. It allows another person to make important healthcare decisions for you when you can’t do so yourself. You want to be sure your needs are fully covered, and the person you grant this important right to won’t use it against you.
Other documents you may want to have a lawyer review include:
Any document that’s enforceable in a court of law is a legal document. Whenever you draft one or are presented with a copy, it’s essential to ensure there are no loopholes or areas of confusion anywhere in the text.
The wording is crucial in legal documents, and it’s important to ensure they fully protect your needs. That’s why it can’t hurt to have a lawyer review them beforehand. With Legalhood, have your document promptly reviewed by a lawyer by clicking here.