What clauses are required in a United States Custom Contract?

United States law requires specific provisions including: Recitals & Purpose, Severability, Entire Agreement / Merger Clause. Contract.DIY automatically includes all mandatory clauses with proper legal citations when generating your Custom Contract.

What terms are prohibited in a United States Custom Contract?

Under United States law, certain provisions are void or unenforceable, including: Provisions requiring illegal acts or violating public policy. Contract.DIY is built to avoid these terms and will warn you if your description suggests including something that's not legally permissible.

How does Contract.DIY ensure my Custom Contract complies with United States law?

Every generated contract goes through 5 automated compliance checks specific to United States. These cover mandatory provisions, prohibited terms, proper citations, and formation requirements. Any issues are flagged before you download.

Can I use this Custom Contract template outside of United States?

This template is specifically tailored to United States law. Using it in another jurisdiction may result in missing requirements or including provisions that don't apply. We recommend generating a new contract with the correct jurisdiction selected for full compliance.

United States Custom Contract — Free Template Generator

Key legal considerations

Generate a custom contract under US law. Ensure all elements of a valid contract are present: 1. MUTUAL ASSENT: Clear offer and acceptance 2. CONSIDERATION: Something of value exchanged 3. CAPACITY: Parties have legal authority 4. LAWFUL PURPOSE: Contract cannot facilitate illegal activity STATUTE OF FRAUDS: If the contract involves goods $500+ (UCC § 2-201), real property, promises that cannot be performed within one year, suretyship, or promises in consideration of marriage, it MUST be in writing. E-SIGN ACT: Electronic signatures are valid for contracts in interstate commerce. FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT: If including an arbitration clause, reference the FAA (9 U.S.C. § 1-16). Include standard boilerplate: governing law, jurisdiction, notices, severability, entire agreement, amendment procedures.

What's required

Mandatory clauses for a valid custom contract under United States law.

Recitals & Purpose
Severability
Common law severability doctrine
Entire Agreement / Merger Clause
Common law parol evidence rule
Electronic Signature Authorization
15 U.S.C. § 7001 (E-SIGN Act)
Governing Law & Jurisdiction
Notices

What's prohibited

Terms and provisions that are void or unenforceable under United States law.

Provisions requiring illegal acts or violating public policy
Contracts for illegal purposes or that require either party to violate the law are void ab initio. This includes provisions that restrain trade unreasonably, facilitate fraud, or violate regulatory requirements.
Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 178

Legal references

Key statutes and regulations that govern custom contracts in United States.

E-SIGN Act
15 U.S.C. § 7001 et seq.
Validates electronic signatures and contracts in interstate commerce.
Statute of Frauds
UCC § 2-201; common law
Requires certain contracts to be in writing: goods $500+, real property, contracts that cannot be performed within one year, suretyship, marriage promises.
Federal Arbitration Act
9 U.S.C. § 1-16
Governs arbitration agreements in contracts involving interstate commerce. Establishes strong federal policy favoring arbitration.