Who cannot prepare an addendum to the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate?

An addendum to the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate is a legal document that modifies or adds to the terms of an existing contract. In Colorado, it is essential to understand who is authorized to prepare such documents due to the legal implications involved.

The correct identification of who cannot prepare an addendum is rooted in the regulations governing the practice of law and the real estate profession. Typically, individuals who are not licensed to practice law, such as the buyer or seller, are restricted from drafting legal documents like addenda. They may have input on the content and conditions they want to include, but they lack the necessary legal training to ensure that all elements of the addendum are correctly framed and compliant with legal standards.

On the other hand, professionals such as attorneys, especially those representing buyers or sellers, and brokers who are acting in their professional capacity, are permitted to draft addenda. Attorneys have the legal training required to ensure that contracts and modifications reflect the intentions of the parties while adhering to applicable laws. Similarly, a broker's actions in preparing such documents are typically under the authority granted to them by their licensing within the real estate profession.

Thus, any parties not possessing the proper legal credentials, such as the buyer or seller acting independently, should not