CONTRACTS · PLAINFIELD & CENTRAL INDIANA
Indiana contract attorney for individuals and businesses.
Drafting, reviewing, redlining, and negotiating contracts, so you know exactly what you are signing before you sign it.
OVERVIEW
Know what you are signing before you sign it.
A contract is only as good as its terms. The agreement you sign today decides who pays when something goes wrong, how and when either side can walk away, what happens to your money, property, or ideas, and where a dispute will be heard. Those details are easy to skim past and expensive to fix after the fact.
Shelton Law helps individuals and businesses throughout Indiana draft, review, and negotiate contracts with those details in mind. Whether you have been handed someone else’s agreement or need one written from scratch, you get a clear explanation of what the document says, where the risk sits, and what can be changed before you commit.
For individuals
Leases, home and vehicle purchases, contractor and remodeling bids, personal loans, settlement offers, and liability waivers. Many people sign these without a second look because the other side calls them “standard.” We read the fine print with you, explain what the document actually says, and tell you what happens if things go wrong, before you are bound by it.
For businesses
Customer and vendor agreements, independent contractor agreements, NDAs, operating agreements, and website terms. Your contracts are the rules your business runs on. We build agreements that reflect how your business actually operates, protect your revenue and intellectual property, and limit your exposure when a customer, vendor, or partner relationship goes sideways.
Written with Indiana in mind
Generic online templates are rarely written for Indiana. We draft and review with Indiana law and Indiana courts in mind, including the choice-of-law, venue, and dispute resolution provisions that decide where and how a disagreement gets resolved, and the signature and formality requirements that affect whether an agreement can be enforced.
CONTRACT SERVICES
How we help with contracts
Every engagement is scoped to what you actually need, from a one-time review of a single agreement to drafting a full set of contracts for your business.
Contract Drafting
Custom agreements written around your deal, your goals, and your tolerance for risk, not copied from a template website. We draft in plain, precise language under Indiana law, so the contract says exactly what you intend and leaves less room for argument later.
Contract Review
A thorough, plain-English review of the agreement in front of you. We explain what it obligates you to do, where the risk sits, what is missing, and which terms are worth pushing back on, so you can sign with confidence or negotiate from an informed position.
Redlining & Negotiation
Tracked-change edits with clear explanations of each change, followed by direct negotiation with the other party or their attorney when you want it. The goal is terms that protect your interests while keeping the deal moving and the relationship intact.
Amendments, Renewals & Terminations
Contracts change as relationships do. We prepare amendments, extensions, assignments, and termination notices that follow the agreement’s own requirements, so changes hold up and an exit does not create new liability.
Breach & Dispute Support
When the other side is not holding up its end of the deal, we evaluate your rights under the contract and prepare demand letters, settlement agreements, and releases aimed at resolving the issue without unnecessary litigation.
Have a contract in hand?
Tell us what you are signing. We will explain the scope and quote a fee before any work begins.
AGREEMENTS WE HANDLE
Contracts we draft, review, and negotiate
Below is a sample of the agreements clients bring to us most often. Each comes with its own common pitfalls, from broad indemnification and automatic renewal clauses to vague payment terms and one-sided termination rights. If yours is not listed, ask. Leases and real estate purchase agreements are covered on our Real Estate page, and business formation on our Small Business page.
Business & Commercial
Service agreements and master services agreements
Independent contractor and consulting agreements
Vendor, supply, and distribution agreements
Business, asset, and equipment purchase agreements
Joint venture and partnership agreements
Licensing and marketing agreements
Employment & Confidentiality
Non-disclosure agreements (mutual and one-way)
Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements
Employment agreements and offer letters
Severance and separation agreements
Settlement agreements and releases
Demand letters and cease-and-desist letters
Ownership, Finance & Online
LLC operating agreements
Membership interest purchase agreements
Promissory notes and loan agreements
Personal guaranties
Website terms of service and privacy policies
Liability waivers and releases
OUR APPROACH
What working with us looks like
Legal help with a contract should make the deal easier, not slower. Our approach is built around clarity, responsiveness, and practical advice that fits how you actually live and do business.
01
Fast turnaround
Contracts often arrive with a deadline attached. Tell us when you need to sign, and we will prioritize your matter and expedite the work at the same rate, without cutting corners on the review.
02
Direct access to your attorney
No call centers, hand-offs, or waiting on someone you have never met. You work directly with Matt from the first read to the final signature, and you can reach him when questions come up.
03
Clear, predictable pricing
Well-defined contract work is often quoted as a flat fee up front. You will know the scope and the cost before any work begins, so your legal bill does not surprise you.
HOW IT WORKS
Straightforward process. Zero guessing.
From the moment you reach out, you will know what to expect, what comes next, and who is handling your matter. No confusion and no chasing updates.
01
Tell us what you need
Book a courtesy consultation online or call (317) 804-1495 and give us a short description of your matter. If you already have a contract, have it ready to share so we can understand the scope from the start.
02
Get a clear scope and fee
We talk through your goals, the other party, and your timeline, answer your questions, and explain your options. Before any work begins, you will know what we will do and what it will cost.
03
We get to work
Once you sign a straightforward retainer agreement, we begin right away. You receive clear explanations and tracked changes, and we keep you updated until your contract is final.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Contract counsel grounded in business experience
Matthew Shelton, Founding Attorney
Matt studied business in undergrad and worked in business roles in the finance, real estate, small business, and construction industries before founding Shelton Law P.C. He knows which terms tend to matter most once a deal is underway, and which ones become problems later.
While in law school, Matt worked for two family office investment firms supporting real estate, securities, and trust matters. He later worked for a real estate developer drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and structuring development deals. Today he advises individuals and small businesses across Indiana on the agreements that run their lives and operations.
What clients say
“Matt made the entire process feel easy and broke things down so we always knew what to expect.”
— M.Q.
“He answered all my questions and was able to do everything in a very reasonable timeframe.”
— N.B.
“Can’t recommend Mr. Shelton enough, he gave me the most detailed, thoughtful, and nuanced answer.”
— K.B.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee a similar outcome in any matter. No attorney client relationship is created until a retainer agreement is signed.
GET STARTED
Contact us for a courtesy consultation
Tell us about your contract and what you need. We will reach back out within 24 hours to schedule your consultation. Questions? Call (317) 804-1495.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Contract FAQs
Should I have an attorney review a contract before I sign it?
If the agreement involves significant money, a long-term commitment, personal liability, or limits on what you can do later, a review is usually worth it. Once you sign, you are generally bound by the terms as written, including terms you did not read or understand.
What does a contract review include?
We read the full agreement, flag terms that create risk or are missing, explain them in plain English, and recommend changes. If you want, we can prepare a redline and negotiate those changes with the other side.
Can you draft a contract from scratch?
Yes. We draft custom agreements built around your deal, your goals, and Indiana law, rather than adapting a generic online template that may not fit your situation.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Indiana?
Sometimes. Indiana courts disfavor non-competes and enforce them only when they protect a legitimate business interest and are reasonable in duration, geographic area, and the activity restricted. Some professions, including physicians, are subject to additional statutory limits.
Does a contract have to be in writing in Indiana?
Many oral agreements are enforceable, but some contracts must be in writing, such as agreements to sell land and agreements that cannot be performed within one year. Sales of goods of $500 or more also generally require a writing. A written agreement is almost always the safer choice.
Are electronic signatures valid in Indiana?
Generally, yes. Indiana’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act gives electronic signatures and records the same legal effect as paper in most transactions, though certain documents have their own signing requirements.
What is your fee?
Matt’s hourly rate is $195.00. If you provide a thorough description of the work in advance and the scope is quantifiable, we can quote a competitive flat fee so you know what you are spending.
How quickly can you review my contract?
Turnaround depends on the length and complexity of the agreement. If you have a signing deadline, tell us when you reach out and we will expedite at the same rate.
In which counties do you provide legal services?
Matt serves clients in every county in Indiana, from Hendricks, Marion, and Hamilton to Allen, Lake, and Vanderburgh. Much of our contract work can be handled by phone and email, wherever you are in the state.
Have a contract to draft, review, or negotiate?
Book a courtesy consultation online, or call (317) 804-1495. Meetings by appointment only.