Originally Posted by
ScottM
Just being devil's advocate...
How would you know that a client has understood what's been explained to them? That is, someone could just nod their head as if to convey understanding, have they taken it in, are they aware of every legal responsibility, for and against, of each clause in a contract? Agreed that a checklist may assist - but that's another legal document, and without using the legal terms, the client can then also claim they've been misled, misunderstood, or not even informed about the detail of one of the tick boxes.
Definitely get legal advice (and not just legal opinion) over contracts or agreements if you're making any sort of commitments through it. Most people wouldn't, thinking contract for wedding photos is a pretty simple straightforward agreement.
We really are turning into a nanny state if people can't take responsibility themselves. (Oops, we were turning into a dead end alley, my brakes have failed. Damn Subaru, I'll sue them because I was misled into thinking the red brake light was telling me I have brakes!)