It seems to me that the legal experts here are clear in what they
are saying and that they have everyone's best interest at heart.

Should it not also be said that a home grown contract is better than
not having one?  I've sat in several small claims court cases as a witness
and have seen repeatedly where something, no, anything, in writing beats
he said...she said... every time.  And clearly, the better documentation
beats poor documentation.

It would be great if all my clients were willing to pay the higher rate
I would have to charge so we could have a professionally done contract,
where there would be protection for everyone for every forseen and unforseen
potential situation.

In business, we put our time and money at risk with the intent to realize
a profit.  The quality of the contracts between web developers and clients
will obviously have an impact on the risk each takes.  A "free" cut and paste
contract will carry more risk than one done by a legal professional. 

As we grow our business, we also improve our infrastructure.  We produce
better products, better services, better advertising, and better contracts.
When my business gets bigger, I am better able to afford better higher
quality tools including better written contracts.  Even if I cannot afford
to hire a lawyer, it should not stand that I cannot at least seek to make
better my "home grown" contracts and those who have the legal knowledge
and experience are in the best position to point out those things that
can make better agreements between developer and client.

I don't want to be a legal professional.  I just want to do the best I can,
reduce my risk as much as possible, and grow the point to where I can
afford to have a professional do all the contracts.

Joe Farris

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