Can AI write a contract for my clients?
Nah. A contract that misses a clause or doesn't fit your state's law can cost you far more than a lawyer or a reputable template. Use AI to organize your terms, then use a vetted template or a lawyer.
01Why nah
- Contracts depend on local law, and AI can get it confidently wrong.
- Missing terms (payment, ownership, cancellations) cause the most disputes.
- Vetted templates exist for most freelance and service work.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
Help me prepare the terms for a client contract. Do NOT write the contract itself. My business: [WHAT I DO] Typical project: [SCOPE, TIMELINE, PRICE] Things that have gone wrong before: [e.g. late payment, endless revisions] Give me: 1. A checklist of terms to decide: scope, deliverables, revisions, payment schedule, late payment, ownership of work, cancellation, confidentiality. 2. For each, the questions I need to answer. 3. Questions to ask a lawyer or when choosing a template.
03Steps
- Use the checklist to decide your terms.
- Start from a vetted template for your field or have a lawyer draft it.
- Have a lawyer review anything high-value.
04What can go wrong
- An unenforceable clause can leave you unprotected.
- Laws differ by state and country.
05What to use
06Our test runs
2 runs, each with a different made-up sample. 2 of 2 passed every check.
The made-up sample:
[WHAT I DO]I run a boutique web design studio that creates custom WordPress sites for small‑to‑mid‑size businesses, handling branding, UI/UX design, and front‑end development.[SCOPE, TIMELINE, PRICE]Project: 5‑page corporate website with blog and contact form. Timeline: 6 weeks from kickoff to launch. Price: $7,500 fixed fee, inclusive of design, development, two rounds of revisions, and basic SEO.[e.g. late payment, endless revisions]Late payments (clients delayed 30‑45 days), endless revision requests beyond agreed rounds, scope creep adding extra pages, and clients withholding final assets for extended periods.
- Do not write the contract itself
- Provide a checklist of terms to decide
- List questions to answer for each term
- Include questions to ask a lawyer
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
Here's the information you requested to help you prepare the terms for a client contract: **Checklist of Terms to Decide:** 1.
Read the full answer
Here's the information you requested to help you prepare the terms for a client contract: **Checklist of Terms to Decide:** 1. Scope 2. Deliverables 3. Revisions 4. Payment Schedule 5. Late Payment 6. Ownership of Work 7. Cancellation 8. Confidentiality **Questions to Answer for Each Term:** 1. **Scope:** * What specific services are included in the project (e.g., design, development, SEO)? * What is the expected outcome of the project (e.g., a 5-page corporate website)? * Are there any specific features or functionalities that are included or excluded? 2. **Deliverables:** * What specific files or assets will be delivered to the client (e.g., design files, WordPress theme, plugins)? * Are there any specific formats or standards for the deliverables (e.g., responsive design, accessibility standards)? * Are there any milestones or intermediate deliverables (e.g., design concepts, prototype)? 3. **Revisions:** * How many rounds of revisions are included in the project scope? * What is the process for requesting revisions (e.g., email, project management tool)? * Are there any limitations on the scope of revisions (e.g., no major changes to design or functionality)? 4. **Payment Schedule:** * What is the total project fee ($7,500)? * How will the fee be structured (e.g., upfront, milestones, final payment)? * Are there any payment terms or conditions (e.g., payment due upon receipt, net 30 days)? 5. **Late Payment:** * What are the consequences of late payment (e.g., interest charges, suspension of work)? * How will late payment be defined (e.g., payment not received within 30 days of invoice)? * Are there any exceptions or waivers for late payment (e.g., prior agreement, unforeseen circumstances)? 6. **Ownership of Work:** * Who retains ownership of the work (e.g., your studio, the client)? * Are there any licensing or usage rights granted to the client (e.g., exclusive use, royalty-free)? * Are there any restrictions on the client's use of the work (e.g., no resale, no modification)? 7. **Cancellation:** * Under what circumstances can the project be cancelled (e.g., client request, non-payment)? * What are the consequences of cancellation (e.g., payment for work completed, termination fees)? * Are there any notice periods or requirements for cancellation (e.g., written notice, minimum notice period)? 8. **Confidentiality:** * What information is considered confidential (e.g., client data, project details)? * How will confidential information be protected (e.g., non-disclosure agreements, secure storage)? * Are there any exceptions or limitations on confidentiality (e.g., prior disclosure, required by law)? **Questions to Ask a Lawyer or When Choosing a Template:** 1. What are the essential clauses that should be included in a web design contract? 2. How can I ensure that my contract is enforceable and protects my business interests? 3. What are the standard payment terms and conditions in the web design industry? 4. How can I limit my liability for errors or omissions in the project? 5. What are the implications of intellectual property ownership and licensing in web design projects? 6. How can I handle disputes or disagreements with clients, and what are the best practices for resolving conflicts? 7. Are there any specific laws or regulations that apply to web design contracts (e.g., data protection, accessibility standards)? 8. Can I use a template contract, or should I have a custom contract drafted for my business? 9. How often should I review and update my contract to ensure it remains relevant and effective? 10. What are the best practices for communicating contract terms and conditions to clients, and ensuring they understand their obligations and responsibilities?
Make sure the answer never includes an actual contract draft.
The made-up sample (a messier one):
[WHAT I DO]I run a boutique digital marketing agency that focuses on SEO and content strategy for small e‑commerce brands. I also do occasional social media ad management and email campaign setup.[SCOPE, TIMELINE, PRICE]Project: 3‑month SEO overhaul for a niche skincare startup. Scope: keyword research, on‑page optimization for 50 pages, 2 blog posts per month, backlink outreach, monthly performance report. Timeline: kickoff week 1, deliverables by week 12. Price: $12,500 flat fee, $2,000 optional add‑on for paid ad management.[e.g. late payment, endless revisions]Clients sometimes delay the initial deposit for weeks, and I've had a couple of projects where the client kept asking for endless revisions after the final draft, causing the timeline to double. Also occasional scope creep when they add extra pages without a change order.
- Do NOT write the contract itself
- Provide a checklist of terms to decide
- Provide questions for each term
- Provide questions to ask a lawyer or when choosing a template
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
Here's the information you requested to help you prepare the terms for a client contract: **Checklist of Terms to Decide:** 1.
Read the full answer
Here's the information you requested to help you prepare the terms for a client contract: **Checklist of Terms to Decide:** 1. Scope 2. Deliverables 3. Revisions 4. Payment Schedule 5. Late Payment 6. Ownership of Work 7. Cancellation 8. Confidentiality **Questions to Answer for Each Term:** 1. **Scope:** * What specific services are included in the project? * What are the boundaries of the project (e.g., number of pages, blog posts, etc.)? * How will changes to the scope be handled (e.g., change orders, approvals)? 2. **Deliverables:** * What specific items will be delivered to the client (e.g., reports, optimized pages, blog posts)? * What is the format and frequency of deliverables? * Are there any specific requirements or standards for deliverables? 3. **Revisions:** * How many revisions are included in the project scope? * What is the process for requesting revisions? * Are there any additional fees for revisions beyond the initial scope? 4. **Payment Schedule:** * What is the total project fee? * What is the payment schedule (e.g., upfront, milestones, monthly)? * Are there any late payment fees or penalties? 5. **Late Payment:** * What happens if the client fails to make a payment on time? * Are there any additional fees or penalties for late payment? * How will late payment affect the project timeline or deliverables? 6. **Ownership of Work:** * Who retains ownership of the work created during the project? * Are there any licensing or usage agreements for the work? * Can the client use the work for any purpose, or are there restrictions? 7. **Cancellation:** * Under what circumstances can the project be cancelled? * What is the notice period for cancellation? * Are there any fees or penalties for cancellation? 8. **Confidentiality:** * What confidential information will be shared during the project? * How will confidential information be protected? * Are there any non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses? **Questions to Ask a Lawyer or When Choosing a Template:** 1. What are the essential clauses that should be included in a client contract for a digital marketing agency? 2. How can I ensure that my contract protects my business from scope creep, late payment, and endless revisions? 3. What are the laws and regulations that govern client contracts in my state or country? 4. How can I make sure that my contract is clear, concise, and easy to understand for my clients? 5. Are there any industry-specific contract templates or examples that I can use as a starting point? 6. How can I ensure that my contract is enforceable and binding on both parties? 7. What are the consequences of not having a comprehensive client contract, and how can I mitigate those risks? 8. How often should I review and update my client contract to ensure it remains relevant and effective? By answering these questions and considering these factors, you can create a comprehensive and effective client contract that protects your business and sets clear expectations for your clients.
Verify that no actual contract language is included.
How each run works: we fill the prompt with a made-up sample, run it once in Llama 3.3 70B, and GPT-OSS 120B grades the answer against the prompt's own rules. Word limits are counted by code, and every quote flagged as made up is checked against the full answer. Your results can differ. How we test.