What Is an Amending Agreement?

An Amending Agreement, also known as an addendum, addendum to contract, or contract amendment, is:

• A document used to amend, or change the terms of an existing contract between one or more parties
• A record of the amendments made to real estate, employment, financial, or other documents
• An acknowledgment of consent to the changes by both parties

Why Would I Need to Amend a Contract?

A contract can be changed for a variety of reasons.

Some common examples include:

• Revising the obligations of a landlord or tenant in a Lease Agreement
• Altering the payment amounts or due dates of a Loan Agreement
• Changing employee policies or benefits in an Employment Contract
• Extending a freelancer's contract in a Service Agreement
• Adjusting child support payments in a Separation Agreement

Why Should I Use an Amending Agreement?

If you need to change the terms of your contract, it's a
good idea to use an Amending Agreement in order to:

• Keep your original contract in place
• Obtain the consent of all parties with their signatures
• Make your changes legally binding
• Have a written record that you can refer to in case of a misunderstanding

What Information Do I Include in My Amending Agreement?

In addition to the amendments, your Amending Agreement should contain the following details:

• Number of times your contract has been previously amended
• Names of the parties
• Signing date of the original contract
• Purpose of the original contract

Should I Make an Amendment or
Create a New Contract?

Generally, you should create a new contract if:

• The amendments will significantly change the original arrangement
• You have numerous changes to make (our form allows
  up to five amendments)