doula service contract... to lawyer or not to lawyer

katluxe · 07-09-2008, 02:43 PM

i'm a brand-new on the block and i haven't got the slightest idea what i should include in my contract. this very practical (and important) aspect of the field is so foreign to me. the very word "contract" makes me wonder if this document should be reviewed and ok'd by a lawyer. have any of you done this? was it helpful/ worth it? i would like my contract to be simple and to the point but i don't want to leave out crucial details (what's crucial though???). would anyone mind sending me their contract so that i could get ideas? i would very much appreciate it.

also, has anyone ever had their client "break" the contract? what were the circumstances around that and what did you do?

you can email me at openspace(dot)kathy(AT)gmail(dot)com

thank you all in advance!

DoulaCBE · 07-09-2008, 02:51 PM

Kathy, google "Doula contract" or Doula Letter of Agreement and you'll come up with TONS of hits that you can use as a starting point.

DucetteMama · 07-09-2008, 04:05 PM

I do have to agree with the previous poster. And I haven't heard of a client "breaking the contract"... but I do know it was stressed to me to make it clear that we are not practicing medicine and that our clients know that in the beginning.

DoulaAngie · 07-09-2008, 07:10 PM

The contract is a basic outline of what you will or will not provide, What is non refundable, full payment amount, when due, and what you expect from the client as well. I also think of it as a good faith contract. I don't think a lawyer needs to look at it. As long as you don't practice anything out of the scope of practice. You should be good. You will be the one whose name will get ran through the mud if you do anything you are not suppose to or act a way that is unbecoming. I ask for my clients to be paid in full by 38wks. That way if I don't make it to their birth. I state I will refund a certain portion of their money back to them if it is my fault I don't make it there in time for them. If I don't refund that portion. They are not going to speak very kindly of me. I will only have myself to blame for having a bad rep.

mirandamary · 07-09-2008, 10:23 PM

I had a friend who works for a lawyer look at it for me, had some great suggestions and wording concerns that we fixed. It was perfect! I love that she did it for me. I now feel that if I had to go to court I would be fine.

She suggested to contact a local school that has students that are going to be lawyers (make sence?) and ask one of them. Most of them will look at it for you for about 20 to 40 dollars. Personally I think it's a good 40.00 well spent!