Most contract disputes I litigate were preventable for the price of one careful review. These five provisions repay their cost many times over.
1. A precise scope of work
Vague deliverables breed “that wasn’t included” fights. Define what is done, by when, to what standard — and what costs extra.
2. Payment terms with teeth
Due dates, late fees, pause rights, and deposits. Friendly terms invite late payment; clear terms prevent it.
3. Termination and exit rights
Every contract should answer: how do we end this cleanly? Notice periods, wind-down duties, and final payments agreed upfront.
4. Intellectual property ownership
Who owns work product on payment — and what license applies before then? Unwritten assumptions here destroy businesses.
5. Dispute resolution that fits
Mediation-first clauses with a chosen venue keep small disputes small. Defaulting to distant litigation is a silent budget killer.
The shortcut to avoid
Copy-pasted templates from other states or industries. Our corporate team reviews small-business contracts in days — far cheaper than the dispute the wrong template invites.
Put Every Agreement on Solid Ground
One review today prevents the dispute of next year. Send us your contract.