Question: where can i find free contracts/agreements? i'm talking about business/loan contracts where if someone borrows (i loan them) money, they agree that they have to pay me back by a certain time period, and also pay me a certain amount of interest?\n\nthe interest thing isn't very important. i'm just looking to guarantee that (at least) 100% of the money i loaned to them is returned to me, and in a fairly timely manner.\n\nit is critically important that these contracts are legally-binding, since i would like to have the option of taking legal action in the unlikely even that the person does not pay me back. \n\nthey don't have to necessarily be free, but at least extremely low cost.

Answer: Pre-made contracts/agreements are very complicated documents. If you don't know EXACTLY what that document says, you can still get shafted like you didn't have a contract in the first place. \n\nYou should do two things: 1) type a common sense letter that details how much was borrowed, the date the loan must be repaid, etc. and have the borrower sign and date it.  You keep the original. A copy can be given to the other guy.\n\nThen 2) DO NOT make the loan in cash. It should be a check. You should indicate that it's a loan on the memo line (something like "Loan to Jack to be pd 8/1/06"), and you need to keep the cancelled check in a safe place.\n\nSince it sounds like you want the option of taking legal action, find out what the maximum amount is for small-claims court in the city/county where you live and where the other guy lives.  If small-claims court will only accept cases for $5,000 and under -- don't lend more than that.\n\nThat way if you have to go to court, you can do it on your own in small claims court instead of hiring a lawyer.\n\nAnd I think it goes without saying... but don't accept cash or personal checks as payment. Get it in money order or cashier's check.
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