Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Contract Dispute?
When dealing with financial matters, it’s best to have a contract in place. While having a contract offers legal protections, disputes can still happen. A client may not pay you on time. Your contractor may not finish the construction project at your home.
Life happens. Delays often occur for various reasons. Money gets tight. Sometimes there is unclear communication or misunderstandings that cause arguments among the parties involved.
It’s best to resolve contract disputes on your own, but if you don’t make any progress, you may wonder: should I get a lawyer involved? It may be a good idea. Here are some factors to keep in mind.
Type of Contract
Some contracts are more complex than others. A business or employment contract is more likely to require a lawyer because of the various elements involved. A consumer contract or contract between friends would not be as involved or complex, so a lawyer likely would not be necessary.
Type of Issue
What is the issue at hand? Did the other party fail to perform their obligations? Is it more of a misunderstanding of the terms? Or maybe it’s unclear what the issue is, but there is some disagreement between you and the other party.
If the other party clearly failed to hold up their end of the deal, then it’s best to get a lawyer involved. For simple misunderstandings, you should meet up with the other party and communicate with them.
Attempts at Resolution
Before hiring a lawyer, you should at least attempt to talk to the person and try to resolve the issue. If you haven’t talked to them yet or are still discussing options, then you should keep communicating. However, if you have tried discussing the situation with the other party and they are refusing to cooperate, then you should move forward with legal action.
Complexity of the Dispute
How complicated is your contract dispute? If it is very complex and involves multiple parties or complex terms, then hiring a lawyer would be your best bet. However, if you understand the main issues and the disagreement is fairly straightforward, then you can probably handle the situation on your own.
Value of the Contract
How much is at stake? If the amount involved is more than six figures, then you should definitely get legal help. Even if there are tens of thousands of dollars at stake, it may be beneficial to hire a lawyer. But if the amount is small, then the legal fees involved would likely not be worth the cost.
Learn More About Business Contracts
When doing business with someone, it’s important to have a solid contract in place. By doing so, you protect the legal rights of everyone involved.
If there is some sort of conflict or breach involved in your contract, contact an Orlando business contracts lawyer B.F. Godfrey from Godfrey Legal for legal help. We have the experience necessary to guide your business ventures and operations. Call (407) 890-0023 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.
Source:
lawyer-monthly.com/2024/09/do-i-need-a-lawyer-for-a-contract-dispute/
