Washington Contract Law Key Terms

Use Washington contract law terms to engage in legally binding agreements

By Apryl Beverly

Washington contract laws establish requirements on how to enforce the terms of written agreements between companies and people doing business in that state. Because the legality of the terms of and conditions of a contract can determine whether or not it’s enforceable in a court of law, it’s important for businesses to have some knowledge about Washington contract laws key terms.

Because contract laws vary by state, you should obtain information about contract laws in the state in which you conduct business. The following Washington contract law key terms can help you gain a basic understanding of how to draft and terminate legal contracts and what should be included in contracts to protect your business assets.

Oral contract

An oral contract is one that is either partially in writing or not written at all. While an oral contract is just as valid as a written contract, it's difficult to prove the actual existence of an oral agreement.
Try: Find out more about Washington laws on oral contracts at US Legal.

Contract assignment

Washington contract law allows parties involved in a contract to transfer their rights and responsibilities to another party. This re-assignment of contract rights and responsibilities can be done for a variety of reasons as long as all parties are notified and agree on the change.
Try: Read more about Washington assignment of contract at FindLegalForms.com.

Breach of contract

Under Washington contract law, a breach of contract is a party's failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract without legal reason. A breach can include failure to complete a job, make payments or deliver on promised goods or services.
Try: Find out more about a breach of contract at High Beam.

Boilerplate

A boilerplate often includes miscellaneous clauses that can be included at the end of a business contract. These clauses can indicate how to resolve or arbitrate disputes as well as spell out other key components of the contract.
Try: Find out about the importance of including boilerplate information at the Washington Post.

Statute of limitation

Washington law identifies a limited amount of time during which lawsuits can be filed claiming injury. Under Washington law, a breach of contract claim must be filed within four years of the alleged breach. A breach of contract is a party's failure to comply with the terms of an agreement or contract.
Try: Read more about statute of limitation at Justia.

Cooling off period

Contracts are typically legally binding when signed. There is a window, called the cooling off period in which parties can cancel the agreement.
Try: Learn more about the cooling off period at King County Law Library.