mkabi said:
Mt Spokane Photography said:
+1 & Great Lesson.
Back out when there are too many changes in contract that you can't understand.
Not worth the hassle. And, if there is a lawyer, have a tape recorder on hand to record every verbal contract.
Be aware that in many states, both parties MUST consent to an audio recording of a conversation. Failure to do so in a number of states that I've checked the law on, constitutes a felony crime (honestly, that surprised me that it's a felony rather than a misdemeanor). SOME states are 1-party states, where as long as one party consents (usually the party that is recording), it's legal. That is not the norm though. So, if you do record verbal contracts, do so with the consent of whomever you are recording to be safe.
Furthermore, verbal contracts may NOT be valid in cases like this where the dollar amount exceeds $500 - this is due to a common law provision called the statute of frauds. In some states this is strictly for goods though, whereas others apply it to goods and services, so it depends upon where you live.
The attorney claimed (from what I read) that verbal contracts are valid and enforceable in Washington state. That is true - although it's true in all states in some sens, the statute of frauds defines the limits of what can be agreed upon in a verbal contract. However, I checked, and the $500 provision does not apply in Washington state. It does have a provision for contracts that cannot be completed within one year of forming them - and that is another common feature of the statute of frauds (ie: so if the verbal contract was made a year and a day before the wedding, it would have theoretically been void). However, their version of the statute of frauds is more forgiving and allows much more to be agreed upon verbally.
I just thought I'd point this out in case it helps anybody. If I'm wrong and somebody catches a mistake - feel free to call me out on it.
Disclaimer: I am not providing legal advice here. Everything I've said is worth exactly as much as you paid for it. $0.00... nothing... zilch. Please do not rely upon anything that I've said as being legal advice.