Skip to main content

Read before you sign

wikimedia commons
 Corunna Coal Company 1890 Union Contract


We live in a society that values orderliness. We like to know whose turn it is to proceed when we reach a four-way stop. We like to know what to expect in a given situation. This is the benefit that law can provide us. We like to know what is expected of us.

If A, then B. If A happens before D, C happens. If no A, no B, etc.

We enter into contracts all the time. Today, as never before, our lives are lived in an online world. We sign up for a service online. We buy products online. We "agree" to the terms of service without ever reading them.  We sign a document placed before us without reading it.

We bind ourselves to unknown terms. We enter into contracts blindly.

In California, and in other states. If you have signed it, you are deemed to have read it. That means you cannot plead ignorance to the contents of any document you sign. If you have signed it, if you have agreed to its terms by "clicking" a box.  You have read and agree to all the terms therein.

So if the document says we will not pay you until a week from Sunday on a blue moon on the wane, you cannot expect payment until that time.

So do yourself a favor, and take a moment and actually read the document you are getting ready to sign. And if you don't understand something it contains, ask them to explain it. It may take a few moments more, but it will save you a lot of grief later.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 24, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    So well put and vital information we would do well to heed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Catch My WordsJanuary 25, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    That's exactly what my daddy always taught me to do.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/01/music-rhythm-and-rap.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerJanuary 26, 2013 at 7:31 AM

      Then you are ahead of the game! Good for you and good for him!

      Delete

Post a Comment

I am so happy that you stopped by. If you leave a comment, I will try to reciprocate and visit your blog as well.

Popular posts from this blog

Advance Directives, Living Wills and the Like

A living will is another term for an advance directive for medical decisions. Living wills or advance directives are legal documents which allow you to speak concerning your wishes and desires in situations where you are unable to.  They tell medical professionals what your treatment desires are during dire medical emergencies and during end of life care. These legal documents come in varying types. A living will contains specific instructions regarding the types of life sustaining treatments that you wish or do not wish. They can cover intubation, feeding tubes, and the like.  You can indicate what types of life sustaining measure you wish to be undertaken and for how long. These directives act as a set of instructions which medical professionals are required to consult and act in accordance with if you have a valid living will on file with your doctor/and/or hospital.  These documents can also contain instructions regarding cremation, burial and the like. ...
6 comments
Read more

What Happens At a Deposition

A deposition can be an intimidating matter, especially if it is the first time that you are being deposed. Knowing what to expect can help. The purpose of this article is to help the lay reader understand what a deposition is, how it functions and what you might expect at a deposition if you are a deponent. A caveat—even with this information, if you have been served with a deposition subpoena, you should seek the advice of an attorney and engage an attorney to represent you at the deposition. Civil litigation is a method used to sort out the liability for purported wrongs against people. It is a type of civilized warfare. The people involved are dressed nicely. They often smile at you when asking the most damaging questions. A deponent’s testimony is often critical to the resolution of the matter at hand, but it is important to understand what is being asked of you, and to answer truthfully to the best of your ability within the context of your attorney’s advice and representat...
4 comments
Read more