Contracts 101

Not every business or personal contract is enforceable. Many can be invalidated if they violate contracting laws or regulations. Others can be terminated if they lack contract essentials. To find out more information about business contracts beyond the basics, see Nolo's Business Contracts section.

Contracts are legally binding agreements, and they pervade almost every aspect of our personal and business lives.

All you need is a clear agreement and mutual promises to exchange things of value.

Follow these guidelines to make an enforceable, plain-English business agreement or contract.

Common negotiation tactics for negotiating business agreements.

How do you create a valid offer, and when does it become a contract?

What is consideration in a contract, and what if an agreement doesn't have it?

What kinds of contracts might not hold up in court?

Didn't get your contract exactly right? Amend it.

If you're modifying an existing contract, use this Sample Amendment.

An implied contract is created when two or more parties have no written contract.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Manage the legal and tax affairs of your LLC with this set of books. Form and operate your LLC with Nolo's LLC Handbook. Understand LLC taxation with Tax Saavy for Small Business.
Use this pair of Nolo’s bestselling business books to answer your routine legal questions and guide you in filling out the forms, documents, and contracts needed to run your day-to-day operations.
Our form provides everything you need to establish the internal rules of your limited liability company.
Building Your Business is Expensive. Launching Your LLC Shouldn't Be.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

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Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

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