Contract Signing

MamaMichelle · 12-13-2008, 04:48 PM

A few recent threads have me rethinking WHO should sign contracts. My thinking is if only mom signs only mom can fire. Of course I don't ever want to face this but I know it's a possibility. Do you have both mom and dad sign or just mom? If only mom signs, do you still have dad sign the waiver? TIA

1stimestar · 12-13-2008, 07:12 PM

I have mom sign and I sign her copy. If dad is in the picture, he is there at the signing but it is actually the mom who hires me and only mom who can fire me.

Edited to add, What waiver? I only have them sign a waiver if I want to use some pictures of their and that isn't until after the birth. I don't do any other waivers.

sacredma · 12-13-2008, 11:59 PM

I have to check, i think i have a place for both to sign, not sure if they both do though. now i have to look at all my old contracts.

DL · 12-14-2008, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaMichelle030407

Do you have both mom and dad sign or just mom? If only mom signs, do you still have dad sign the waiver? TIA

I have a place for both mom and dad to sign the contract, but only mom's is required. Often just the mom signs when I tell them that dad doesn't have to sign. I hadn't thought about the "dad firing" issue until that mentioned thread. Since I don't require the dad's signature, then I might as well take that line off, but I haven't taken the time to edit it out yet.

For the Hold Harmless waiver (what I call "Labor Doula Services waiver"), mom and birth partner signs it. Both signatures are required by me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar

Edited to add, What waiver? I only have them sign a waiver if I want to use some pictures of their and that isn't until after the birth. I don't do any other waivers.

I think she's probably referring to a hold harmless waiver; please correct me if I'm wrong, Michelle. I posted about what I use as an added page stapled behind my contract in posts #3 and #10 in the Lawsuits & Liability thread. (words in red are because those are the words that I used in the search).

btw... Some people say that they won't stand up in court. I don't know for sure since I've never had to go to court to test it out, but an attorney did end up looking it over (FLLucinda's brother). He said that it would stand up in court as worded. Either way, I figure that it sure doesn't hurt to have them sign it just in case. Anyway, not meaning to rehash that specific sub-topic really, but I just wanted to clarify that aspect in anticipation that it might eventually be brought up again.

MamaMichelle · 12-14-2008, 03:07 PM

Yes, I was referring to the hold harmless waiver. I know it is a crap shoot but it's one I'm willing to have anyway just in case.

My fear is that I don't want to isolate dad and make him feel that his opinion doesn't matter. At the same time I want the security for both mom and I that only SHE can get rid of me.

FLLucinda · 12-15-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaMichelle030407

Yes, I was referring to the hold harmless waiver. I know it is a crap shoot but it's one I'm willing to have anyway just in case.

My fear is that I don't want to isolate dad and make him feel that his opinion doesn't matter. At the same time I want the security for both mom and I that only SHE can get rid of me.

A thought that popped into my head... I would not attend a birth where Dad no longer wanted me there and HE was going to be in attendance. That would be so very stressful for all involved and not at all what mom needs. If dad was not going to be there then that's a different story. Before I even take a client both mom and dad have to be totally on board in wanting me.

MamaMichelle · 12-15-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLLucinda

A thought that popped into my head... I would not attend a birth where Dad no longer wanted me there and HE was going to be in attendance. That would be so very stressful for all involved and not at all what mom needs. If dad was not going to be there then that's a different story. Before I even take a client both mom and dad have to be totally on board in wanting me.

I totally agree with you and I won't either. That's another valuable lesson I've learned here.

I'm generalizing that both parents want me there but IF he decided during the birth that he didn't anymore I would only want mom to have the say so. Even if she did ask me to leave because of him it would be their battle in the end. KWIM?