Question:

[TKpervert]

Is a set of agreements, written by an everyday citizen, printed out out on a computer, and signed by both parties involved, enforcable in a court of law ?
This involves the simple rental of some living space and I do not want to pay some legal schmuck $400 per hour to spend 30 hours typing it up.

Do signatures have to be certified ?

Any experiences here with this sort of thing ???

 

[4Pawz]

Basically, no. You can have that, but unless it is notorized and signed with a nonpartial witness, it doesn't mean a thing.

Pawz

 

[TKpervert]

Cool, thanks Pawz. So I shall have my writings notarized.

How else can my efforts turn to legal folly ?

Anybody ?

 

[4Pawz]

Some lawyers will give a first visit to see if one has a case for free. LOL maybe ask one of them, or you can check your local library about doing them. Or possibly talk to a realty company, they may be able to offer a helping hand as far as advice.

Pawz

 

[TklDuo-Ann]

Actually, this also depends on your location. I'm not sure what CA laws require. But I know that, in some areas, anything under $500 is legally binding (written or not) if there is a witness to the agreement. It can even be an oral agreement. Of the places I rented before moving to CT, only one had anything written down...and that was done by the landlady herself.

If you do need a legally recognized witness, notaries are generally not that expensive. You can call around to some local banks and see who has one. Last time I used a notary, it was something like $25 to have them read and witness the signing of a document.

Ann