# Contract Management

Tillage's contract system lets you generate professional, legally-binding contracts from approved quotes. With digital signatures and automated payment schedules, you can close deals faster.

## Contract Wizard

The Contract Wizard guides you through contract creation in about 3 minutes:

1. **Select the approved quote** - Contract inherits all quote details
2. **Choose contract type** - Statement of Work, Service Agreement, etc.
3. **Configure payment schedule** - Deposits, milestones, or installments
4. **Add terms and conditions** - Standard or custom terms
5. **Set up signatures** - Your signature and client signature blocks
6. **Review and send** - Preview, then send for signature

## Contract Types

### Statement of Work (SOW)
For project-based engagements with defined scope:
- Deliverables and milestones
- Timeline and deadlines
- Payment schedule tied to milestones

### Service Agreement
For ongoing retainers and service relationships:
- Recurring services and billing
- Service level expectations
- Renewal terms

### Full Contract
Comprehensive agreement combining:
- Project scope and deliverables
- Ongoing service terms
- Legal protections and liability

### NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
For protecting confidential information:
- Standalone or attached to other contracts
- Mutual or one-way confidentiality

### Custom
Build your own contract structure using blocks.

## Block-Based Contract Builder

Contracts in Tillage are built from modular blocks that you arrange as needed:

### Text Block
Rich text content for any section:
- Introduction and overview
- Terms and conditions
- Special provisions
- Legal language

### Deliverables Block
Automatically populated from your quote:
- Line item descriptions become deliverables
- Quantities and totals included
- Professional formatting

### Payment Schedule Block
For one-time project payments:
- Deposit on signing (e.g., 50%)
- Milestone payments
- Balance on completion
- Fixed-date payments

### Ongoing Services Block
For recurring billing:
- Monthly, quarterly, or annual billing
- Service start and end dates
- Automatic invoice generation
- Auto-send options

### Timeline Block
Project schedule visualization:
- Phases and milestones
- Start and end dates
- Dependencies noted

### Signature Block
Digital signature capture:
- Your company signature
- Client signature
- Title and date fields
- Legally binding with audit trail

### Attachments Block
Include supporting documents:
- Quote PDF as exhibit
- Additional documents
- Reference materials

### Email Template Block
Default email for sending:
- Pre-written subject line
- Email body template
- Personalization with variables

## Digital Signatures

Tillage includes built-in digital signatures:

### How It Works

1. You sign the contract first (or set to sign on send)
2. Client receives an email with a secure link
3. Client reviews the contract
4. Client signs digitally (draw or type)
5. Both parties receive signed copies

### Signature Audit Trail

Every signature includes:
- Signer's full name and title
- Signature image or typed name
- Exact timestamp
- IP address
- Browser information

This creates a legally-binding record.

### Mobile-Friendly Signing

Clients can sign contracts on any device:
- Responsive design for phones and tablets
- Touch-friendly signature capture
- No app download required

## Payment Schedules

Configure how and when you get paid:

### Deposit + Balance
- 50% deposit on signing
- 50% on project completion

### Milestone-Based
- 25% deposit
- 25% at Phase 1 complete
- 25% at Phase 2 complete
- 25% on final delivery

### Monthly Installments
- Split total over 3-6 months
- Equal monthly payments
- Automatic invoice generation

### Custom Schedule
- Any combination of payments
- Fixed dates or milestone triggers
- Percentage or fixed amounts

## Payment Triggers

Each payment can be triggered by:

- **Contract execution** - When client signs
- **Fixed date** - Specific calendar date
- **Milestone completion** - When you mark a milestone done
- **Recurring schedule** - Automatic intervals

## Automated Actions on Signing

When a contract is signed, Tillage can automatically:

1. **Collect deposit** - Charge saved payment method
2. **Generate first invoice** - Create and optionally send
3. **Start recurring billing** - Begin automatic invoicing
4. **Notify your team** - Email alerts on signature

## Contract Templates

Save time with reusable templates:

### Creating Templates

1. Build a contract with your standard structure
2. Save as template
3. Categorize by type (SOW, Retainer, etc.)
4. Use variables for dynamic content

### Template Variables

Templates support smart variables:
- `{clientName}` - Auto-fills client company
- `{projectName}` - Project title from quote
- `{totalAmount}` - Contract value
- `{contractDate}` - Current date
- `{effectiveDate}` - Project start date

### Template Library

Organize templates by:
- Contract type
- Project category
- Client type
- Use frequency

## Contract Status

Track contracts through their lifecycle:

- **Draft** - In progress, not yet sent
- **Sent** - Awaiting client signature
- **Viewed** - Client has opened the contract
- **Signed** - Both parties have signed
- **Completed** - Project finished
- **Cancelled** - Contract voided

## Client Experience

From your client's perspective:

1. **Email notification** - Professional email with secure link
2. **Contract review** - Clean, readable format on any device
3. **Questions** - Can contact you before signing
4. **Signature** - Draw or type their signature
5. **Confirmation** - Receives copy of signed contract

No login required. Frictionless experience.

## Legal Considerations

While Tillage provides professional contract tools:

- Consult an attorney for legal advice
- Templates are starting points, customize as needed
- Digital signatures are legally binding in most jurisdictions
- Maintain records for your protection

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*Related: [Contract Templates Guide](/llms/guides/contract-templates.txt) | [Payment Schedules Guide](/llms/guides/payment-schedules.txt) | [Digital Signatures](/llms/features/payments.txt)*