A contract is not usually considered to be valid in San Diego unless a tangible form of consideration has been given by every party under the agreement.  “Consideration” basically answers the legal question “why are you entering into this agreement?”  The “offeree” accepts the offer in anticipation of receiving the benefit offered by the agreement.  The “offeror” must be provided “consideration” (usually a deposit or something of genuine value) in return for the benefit of what they have promised in the offer itself.  Another way to look at it is that each side must give up something in order for there to be a valid agreement. There are cases where a signed statement can suffice as “consideration”, but these issues are quite legally complex and it is best to simply consult the experienced contract attorneys at The Watkins Firm.  If you are creating business contracts to provide goods or services to other businesses or consumers it is important to ensure that your documents are properly constructed, meet all legal requirements, protect your interests and are enforceable.  I invite you to contact us for a free consultation at 858-535-1511.  We’ll discuss the contracts you wish to employ, and help you to develop a solid agreement that will lead to a successful and profitable outcome.