There are many forms online now. You can find just about any contract simply by googling it:
-Deeds
-Wills
-Divorces
Many people use online legal forms to save money. They can sometimes work, but not always. So why even talk to a lawyer about your contract? There are risks in relying solely on online legal forms, without talking to a lawyer.
At the bottom of a popular online legal form website, they even say: “We are not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. We cannot provide any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.” This disclaimer is here for a reason.
Take, for example, a recent situation with a potential client. This potential client created a marital separation agreement using an online form without the help of a lawyer. One of our attorneys read the agreement and immediately realized that the potential client made a mistake that will cost him over $100,000!
This crisis could have been averted by simply having his contract reviewed by Price & Keir for a couple hundred dollars in the first place. Spend a little to save a lot in the long run. The lawyers’ fees are worth the money you avoid losing by creating a valid and enforceable contract that protects your rights.
There is a lawyer joke that every time you ask a lawyer a question, their response is always the same: “it depends”. This situation is a great example of the truth in that response. A generic online form will not reflect the intricacies of your personal situation. A lawyer will, and he or she will make sure your contract reflects that.
More than just risk-aversion, protecting your interests, and tailored contracts, lawyers provide other benefits too! A good lawyer can see issues you might have in the future, discuss them with you and make changes accordingly. Call Price and Keir to help create or review your next contract.