User Guide

Introduction

The Contract Amendment Generator is a powerful tool that helps you create professional, legally-sound amendments to existing contracts without needing to hire a lawyer for standard modifications. This tool simplifies the process by guiding you through a series of questions about your specific amendment needs, then automatically generating a properly formatted document ready for signing.

How to Use the Generator

Step 1: Original Contract Information

Start by entering information about the existing contract you want to amend:

• Original Contract Title: Enter the exact title of the contract as it appears on the original document.
• Original Contract Date: Select the date when the original contract was signed. The tool will show a warning if you select a future date, but allows it in case your computer’s date settings are incorrect.
• Party Information: Enter the names of both parties to the contract. Use legal names (e.g., full company names with “Inc.” or “LLC” as appropriate).

Step 2: Amendment Information

Next, provide details specific to this amendment:

• Amendment Number: Select which amendment this is (First, Second, etc.) in sequence.
• Amendment Effective Date: Choose when this amendment will take effect. Typically, this is the date when both parties sign the amendment.
• Purpose of Amendment: Select the primary reason for amending the contract. This selection determines which fields appear in the next section.

Step 3: Amendment Details

Based on your selected purpose, you’ll see different fields:

Extend Contract Term

• Choose between a fixed-term extension (e.g., 6 months) or an indefinite extension with a termination notice period.
• For fixed extensions, select a standard period or enter a custom timeframe.

Modify Pricing/Payment Terms

• Specify whether you’re increasing or decreasing pricing, or restructuring payment terms.
• Enter the original and new pricing information or describe the payment term changes.

Change Scope of Work

• Indicate whether you’re expanding, reducing, or modifying the scope.
• Reference the specific section of the original contract being changed.
• Describe the changes to the scope in detail.

Add Services or Deliverables

• Describe the new services being added to the contract.
• Specify pricing for the additional services.
• Indicate when the new services will begin.

Update Contact Information

• Select which party’s information is being updated.
• Enter the new contact details (address, contact person, email, phone).

Custom Amendment

• Specify which clause or section is being amended.
• Optionally include the original language for reference.
• Enter the new language that will replace or modify the original clause.

Step 4: Additional Terms

• Add any supplementary terms not covered in the previous sections.
• Specify how the original contract terms should be treated (typically, all other terms remain in effect).

Step 5: Generate and Download

• Review the live preview of your amendment to ensure all information is accurate.
• Click “Copy Amendment” to copy the text to your clipboard, or “Download as DOCX” to save as a Word document.
• The downloaded document is properly formatted with a signature block for both parties.

Features

• Live Preview: See your amendment take shape in real-time as you complete the form.
• Visual Feedback: When you make changes, the affected text is highlighted in yellow to help you track modifications.
• Helpful Tooltips: Question mark icons throughout the form provide guidance on completing each field.
• Date Validation: Warnings appear if you select potentially problematic dates, like a future date for the original contract.
• Accordion Sections: Collapsible sections help manage complex forms without overwhelming the user.
• MS Word Export: Download a professionally formatted DOCX file ready for printing and signing.

FAQ

Can I amend a contract that has already been amended before?

Yes. Simply select the appropriate amendment number (Second, Third, etc.) from the dropdown menu. Your amendment will reference the original contract, not the previous amendments.

What if my amendment purpose isn’t listed in the dropdown?

Select “Custom Amendment” which allows you to specify any type of change to any section of the original contract.

Do I need a lawyer to review my amendment?

While this generator creates legally formatted amendments, it’s always advisable to have a legal professional review any important contractual changes, especially for high-value contracts or complex modifications.

Can I come back to edit my amendment later?

The generator doesn’t currently save your work. However, you can download the DOCX file and modify it later in Word or any compatible word processor.

Is the amendment effective immediately upon signing?

The amendment takes effect on the “Amendment Effective Date” you specify, which may be the signing date or a future date if you prefer to delay implementation.

What if the original contract has more than two parties?

This generator is designed for two-party contracts. For multi-party contracts, you may need to modify the downloaded document to add signature blocks for additional parties.

Do both parties need to sign the amendment?

Yes. Like the original contract, amendments require the signature of all parties to be legally binding.

Can I use this generator for any type of contract?

The generator is designed for standard business agreements. It may not be suitable for specialized contracts governed by specific regulations (like real estate leases in certain jurisdictions).

What if I need to make multiple changes to a contract?

You can include multiple changes in a single amendment. Either select the most appropriate purpose and add other changes in the “Additional Terms” section, or use the “Custom Amendment” option to address multiple sections.

Will this amendment be legally binding?

When properly completed and signed by all parties, contract amendments created with this generator should be legally binding. However, legal enforceability depends on many factors including proper execution and the nature of the changes being made.