Q: When it comes to contracts
When it comes to contracts can company put anything they want on the contract or there has to be certain policy and terms that they have to follow or legal steps?
A:
Every consumer contract made in the State of California must comply with oodles of legal requirements that are intended to protect consumers. That said, there is still plenty of room left for a business you are dealing with to put requirements into a contract that you might not be happy with.
Your only real protection is to understand what you are being asked to sign, BEFORE you sign it. Don't believe and don't trust anything that a salesperson says. If it isn't written down in the contract, the verbal statements of the salesperson are completely worthless and unenforceable.
If you are having trouble understanding something that you are being asked to sign, then ask for an unsigned copy to take away with you and get help from someone you trust who does understand it. Do that BEFORE you sign anything. If the business won't let you take away a copy of what they are asking you to sign, then get up and leave - without signing anything; then take your business somewhere else.
1 user found this answer helpful
A:
When it comes to contracts in California, companies are generally free to include whatever terms they wish in their contracts, as long as those terms are not illegal or against public policy. However, there are certain legal requirements that contracts must meet in order to be enforceable.
For example, contracts must be entered into voluntarily and with mutual consent. Additionally, contracts must be supported by "consideration," which is something of value exchanged between the parties to the contract. Contracts must also be sufficiently definite and certain in their terms in order to be enforceable.
There are also specific legal requirements for certain types of contracts, such as contracts for the sale of goods, which must meet the requirements of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
If you have questions about a specific contract or need legal advice regarding a contract, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your rights and obligations.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
