Legal Forms

There are different types of legal forms or documents, depending on their use, the industry they are applicable to, and the users.

In general, individuals who use legal documents are those who want to make the transactions they take part in to be legally binding. To make a transaction legally binding, all parties must agree and accept the terms and conditions they set, something of value must be exchanged for something else of value, and contracts and agreements must be created and signed.

Whether you are building up a new business, filing for bankruptcy, renting out your commercial space, or requesting financial support, you need to use an appropriate, specific legal form to validate or make legally binding your agreement with another party.

As the uses of legal documents vary, their main purpose, which is to protect both parties, remains the same. The following list shows some other important uses of using legal documents:

• Enable individuals to specify the terms and conditions of an agreement to avoid disputes in the future.
• Let individuals plan ahead. For instance, creating a Last Will and Testament to determine what happens to the possessions of a person after his death or a document to outline what would happen to the minor children if both parents pass away at the same time.
• Prevent costly legal mistakes by abiding by the agreed-upon provisions set by both parties.
• Serve as the basis for legal decisions.

Important legal forms you can use

Acknowledgment by Notary Public

Also known as Notary Acknowledgment, an Acknowledgment by Notary Public document is an affidavit used by a notary public when notarizing a document. This document declared that a notary public has verified the identity of the person who acknowledges signing the document the Acknowledgment by Notary Public document is attached to.

Adoption Form

Aside from the other legal documents that must be submitted and the processes that must be completed by adoptive parents, they need to accomplish an Adoption Form before they may be considered fit to adopt a child.

Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation are formal documents that contain pertinent information about a corporation, outlining the basic information needed to form a corporation, the governance of a corporation, and the applicable corporate statutes. They are also referred to as The Corporate Charter, Articles of Association, or Certificate of Incorporation.

Confidentiality Agreement

There are several types of a Confidentiality Agreement, depending on its users. It is also referred to as a Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA. Employers may ask employees to sign a Confidentiality Agreement before signing a contract. A company that is working with a potential business partner may ask the latter to sign a Confidentiality Agreement before sharing any business ideas. The main purpose of a Confidentiality Agreement is to forbid a potential business partner or employee from disclosing any confidential information that will be discussed. If anyone violates an agreed-upon and signed Confidentiality Agreement, he or she will be sued for damages to compensate for any loss.

Debt Settlement Agreement

When a debtor wants to make a final payment for a debt, he or she must discuss in detail with a creditor using a Debt Settlement Agreement the terms and conditions of the payment. A Debt Settlement Agreement helps both parties to come to an agreement regarding a debt owed. Once signed, the agreed-upon payment will be final.

Declaration of Trust

Also referred to as a Mandatory Declaration or Nominee Declaration, a Declaration of Trust is a legal document that appoints a trustee to oversee the assets of a person or people. It specifies the assets that are to be held in trust; nevertheless, the legal owner retains all rights and benefits arising from assets and can terminate the agreement at any time.

Employee Contract

An Employee Contract specifies the obligations and expectations of both the employee and the employer. It sets terms and conditions related to being an employee and an employer to minimize any future conflicts. An Employee Contract should cover important information such as pay, benefits, attendance, and termination.

Last Will and Testament

A Last Will and Testament is a document that discusses and communicates an individual’s final wishes regarding his or her assets. It outlines what to do with his or her possessions, whether to give them to another person or a group or to donate them to charity and specifies what happens to things that he or she is responsible for. In essence, a Last Will and Testament gives a person control over his or her assets after death.

Lease Agreement

Also known as a Rental Agreement, a Lease Agreement is a legal contract between a landlord or lessor and a tenant or lessee. It guarantees that the tenant will pay the landlord for the use of the latter’s property. In addition, it specifies the responsibilities of the landlord as the owner of the leased property. Both parties may face consequences if they fail to uphold or disregard the terms and conditions of their Lease Agreement.

Loan Agreement

To formalize a loan, a Loan Agreement should be written and signed. A Loan Agreement is a binding contract between two or more parties. There are several types of loan agreements and their uses vary. Some types of loan agreements are Personal Loan Agreement, Family Loan Agreement, and Consumer Loan Agreement. The terms and conditions stipulated in a Loan Agreement are governed by both state and federal laws.

Non-Compete Agreement

A Non-Compete Agreement is a contractual obligation between an employer and an employee. It specifies that the employee or contractor agrees not to work or be associated with the competitors of his or her employer or to open a competing business for a specific period of time. A Non-Compete Agreement helps protect a company’s confidential information, including trade secrets, and prevents unfair competition.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney or POA is a legal document that gives a person, also referred to as the agent or attorney-in-fact, the authority to act for another person, also referred to as the principal. In general, it is used when the principal is unable to be present to sign necessary documents due to valid reasons, including disability or illness.