Should I have a lawyer look over my contract?

Asked by: Ilene Luettgen II  |  Last update: October 3, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (22 votes)

Having an attorney involved in drafting or reviewing your contract can help you avoid risks and expensive disputes. Lawyers are trained to write contracts that clearly explain what each party will do and to anticipate problems that might arise.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to look over a contract?

Hiring a contract lawyer doesn't come cheap. The average attorney contract review cost per hour in the U.S. ranges anywhere from $125 to over $500. Costs can depend largely on the lawyer's experience, specialization, and location.

Should I have a lawyer read my employment contract?

Consult an Attorney to Review Your Employment Contract

Your attorney can give you advice regarding your agreement and help you determine if it is in your best interest to sign the agreement as-is.

When should you hire a contract lawyer?

When You Probably Should Hire a Lawyer. Whenever possible, hire a business contract lawyer to help you negotiate the key terms of the contract. Lawyers often make excellent negotiators, and a good one can help you get a better deal. She or he can also help you consider alternatives.

Should a lawyer review a purchase agreement?

FROM LISTING OR PURCHASE CONTRACT TO CLOSING

Many issues need attention in the purchase or sale of a house. These issues may impact your legal rights and responsibilities. A lawyer can help you address these issues during preparation or review of the listing contract and the Contract To Buy And Sell Real Estate.

Should a lawyer look over that contract?

27 related questions found

Should you have a lawyer look over a contract?

Contracts can be oral or written, but it's always best to get a lawyer to check out the contract before signing. This is because sometimes things that seem too good to be true probably are.

How long does it take a lawyer to review a contract?

The contract review process is typically initiated four to eight weeks before planned execution to account for contract complexity and potential delays. If multi-party negotiations over contract language is anticipated, the review process could easily take twice as long.

Can I make my own contract without a lawyer?

Yes, you can write your own contract. However, including all necessary elements is crucial to make it legally binding. For complex situations or high-stakes agreements, it's advisable to consult a contract attorney to review or draft your agreement.

What to ask a lawyer before hiring them?

Here is a handy checklist of basic questions to ask before you hire a lawyer: What is your experience in this field? Have you handled matters like mine? What are the possible outcomes of my case? What are my alternatives in resolving the matter?

Do lawyers negotiate contracts?

One of the most valuable skills an in-house lawyer brings to a company is the ability to negotiate contracts. While contract negotiation is an important skill, it is rarely taught in law school.

What are the disadvantages of hiring a lawyer to draft or review a contract?

On the other hand, some drawbacks of hiring a contract review attorney may include:
  • Spending unnecessary funds on hiring an attorney to review a simple and straightforward agreement;
  • Having to wait for an attorney to review a contract, which in turn, will delay signing it and moving forward with a business deal;

How long does it take to review an employment contract?

The duration of an employment contract review can vary depending on factors such as the contract's complexity and the reviewer's familiarity with legal documents. On average, a thorough review of an employment contract may take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours.

Should I have a lawyer look at my job offer?

Protecting Your Future: Employment agreements contain restrictions (like non-competes, non-solicits and non-disclosures) that delineate your rights both during, and after, employment. An attorney can identify any clauses that may infringe upon your rights or place undue restrictions on your freedom to find a new job.

Who can help me understand a contract?

A legal professional will read each contract thoroughly to understand the terms and conditions and highlight risks or relevant information.

Can you pay a lawyer to read a contract?

One of the most important steps in the contracting process can be hiring a contract lawyer to review your written agreements, as the wording and format often have to be very specific to be legally binding.

How do you know if a lawyer is good or not?

How to Know if You Hired a Good or Bad Criminal Defense Attorney in California
  • Criminal Trial Experience. ...
  • Resources To Investigate and Prepare Your Case. ...
  • Good Communication. ...
  • Negotiation Skills. ...
  • Empathy For the Situation You're In. ...
  • Making Promises They Can't Keep. ...
  • Failing To Return Your Calls. ...
  • Unprofessional Behavior.

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

Lawyers usually calculate contingency fees as a percentage of the amount of compensation recovered. A typical contingency fee falls between 20% and 40%, with most totaling 30% to 35%. You pay the fee at the end of the case out of your compensation.

What are two questions one should ask of their attorney?

Talking to a lawyer:10 questions to ask a lawyer
  • Are you a generalist or a specialist lawyer? ...
  • Can you describe your typical client? ...
  • Besides the law degree, do you have any kind of special training or insights that may apply to my case? ...
  • How do you bill your fees and costs? ...
  • How long will I be able to retain your service?

Should I get a lawyer for a contract?

Having an attorney involved in drafting or reviewing your contract can help you avoid risks and expensive disputes. Lawyers are trained to write contracts that clearly explain what each party will do and to anticipate problems that might arise.

Does a contract have to be notarized to be legal?

Many contracts, such as simple sales agreements or employment agreements, do not need to be notarized to be legally binding. The requirement varies based on the contract type and jurisdiction. However, some contracts like real estate transfers or powers of attorney may require notarization by law.

How much does it cost to have a lawyer write a contract?

Pricing Models for Contract Lawyer Services

Rates can range from $100 to $750 per hour, depending on the lawyer's experience, the complexity of the contract, and your location. Hourly pricing is straightforward but can lead to unpredictable costs, especially if the contract needs more work than initially anticipated.

Do lawyers read contracts?

Lawyers are much better, it turns out, at reading these contracts either in plain English or in legalese and understanding them and answering questions about them. However, they have a much harder time with the legalese, just like regular people,” Gibson says.

What to consider when reviewing a contract?

A contract review checklist
  • Focus on the most critical clauses. ...
  • Strive for clear language. ...
  • Review default terms. ...
  • Check for blank fields in the agreement. ...
  • Consider your termination and renewal options. ...
  • Note significant milestones. ...
  • Allocate risk fairly. ...
  • Understand the remedies provisions.

How long is a contract usually?

How long a contract ought to last depends largely on what type of contract it is. For instance, many SaaS agreements will follow a subscription-based model, meaning that the contract duration will often be annual or between 3 to 5 years for enterprise-level plans.