
A well-drafted contract provides security for all parties in an agreement. If you suspect that the other party has breached the agreement, it’s advisable to hire a breach of contract lawyer as soon as possible. Different states have distinct rules about the available remedies for a proven breach of contract, so if you’re in Long Island, you should consult an attorney with experience with New York law.
Four Situations to Hire a Breach of Contract Lawyer in Long Island
1: Failure to Pay
If your contract involves goods or services, one party may be contractually obliged to make payment. An occasional late payment may not cause significant issues, but if payment is seriously late or has not been made at all, legal advice is essential. Missing payments can have a serious impact on a business and may affect future trading by reducing available capital.
Your contract should stipulate penalties for non-payment, and a lawyer can help enforce the terms.
2: Real Estate Breaches
The sale and purchase of real estate can involve a series of complex transactions, so there are multiple opportunities for a breach to occur. There may be a breach at the close of the sale, with the title deeds not being transferred or a refusal to proceed. In other cases, a breach may be discovered after the sale is complete, such as the non-disclosure of property defects.
3: Failure to Meet the Agreed Terms
Every contract will set out what is expected of each party, and what they are contractually obliged to provide. Failure to meet these agreed terms is a breach of contract. This could include non-delivery of the agreed service or products, or delivering a lower quality than previously agreed. It is crucial to deal with failure to deliver swiftly because of the potential impact on the business.
In some cases, the other party may inform you that they anticipate failing to meet the contractual terms. This is known as an anticipatory breach. This can be a complex situation involving an obligation for the other party to take steps to minimize or avoid losses after notice has been provided. Legal advice is critical as soon as possible in these situations.
4: Breach of Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights are often integral to the success of a business, so any contract should make ownership, rights of use, and licensing rights crystal clear. If the other party uses your intellectual property in a way that isn’t permitted by the contract, legal action can be taken. Examples of this might include publicizing confidential information, reverse engineering, or the unauthorized use of intellectual property.
Within the terms of the contract, there may also be a non-compete clause. This prevents a party from taking your intellectual property to a competitor after the contract has finished. The contract will typically specify a timeframe and a geographic restriction.
As a family-run law firm, we have helped clients throughout Long Island with breach of contract cases. Whether you need advice on drafting a new contract or believe a breach has occurred, contact us at Chiariello & Chiariello in Long Island for legal assistance you can trust.


