Legal Question in Business Law in Arizona

verbal vs contractual agreements

I am an ordained minister who performs wedding ceremonies. My husband has decided to also provide DJ services as well. We don't require contracts and would rather not deal with them. I have a father of the bride that

wants ''something in writing'' to guarantee we will not miss his daughters wedding. He has already given me a deposit without a written contract.

Question:Since I have already agreed to the service verbally do I still have to honor that agreement. I am willing to give his deposit back.

Please Help!

Thank you for your time.


Asked on 8/08/07, 2:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Jenkins Jenkins Law Center PLC

Re: verbal vs contractual agreements

I have never had a minister question if they have to honor an agreement, and I am sure that is not what you meant. Perhaps your real question is, once you agreed on an oral contract to do the DJ services, with a deposit, are you obligated to grant a writing? No. You can tell the customer that you operate on oral contracts, with a deposit, and if that is not acceptable to him, he can have his deposit back and get someone else.

Honest people in the community usually do not balk at a written contract, so if you do not want to operate that way you will bump up against this again I am sure. Why are you opposed to the contract? Is it the hassle? The expense? Usually a written contract avoids misunderstanding, and I would think you would certainly want one, to define your responsibility and limit your liability as well.

Good luck.

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Answered on 8/10/07, 10:13 am


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