what is an assignment contract

Understanding an assignment and assumption agreement

Need to assign your rights and duties under a contract? Learn more about the basics of an assignment and assumption agreement.

updated October 17, 2023 · 3min read

The assignment and assumption agreement

The basics of assignment and assumption, filling in the assignment and assumption agreement.

While every business should try its best to meet its contractual obligations, changes in circumstance can happen that could necessitate transferring your rights and duties under a contract to another party who would be better able to meet those obligations.

If you find yourself in such a situation, and your contract provides for the possibility of assignment, an assignment and assumption agreement can be a good option for preserving your relationship with the party you initially contracted with, while at the same time enabling you to pass on your contractual rights and duties to a third party.

An assignment and assumption agreement is used after a contract is signed, in order to transfer one of the contracting party's rights and obligations to a third party who was not originally a party to the contract. The party making the assignment is called the assignor, while the third party accepting the assignment is known as the assignee.

In order for an assignment and assumption agreement to be valid, the following criteria need to be met:

• The initial contract must provide for the possibility of assignment by one of the initial contracting parties.
• The assignor must agree to assign their rights and duties under the contract to the assignee.
• The assignee must agree to accept, or "assume," those contractual rights and duties.
• The other party to the initial contract must consent to the transfer of rights and obligations to the assignee.

A standard assignment and assumption contract is often a good starting point if you need to enter into an assignment and assumption agreement. However, for more complex situations, such as an assignment and amendment agreement in which several of the initial contract terms will be modified, or where only some, but not all, rights and duties will be assigned, it's a good idea to retain the services of an attorney who can help you draft an agreement that will meet all your needs.

When you're ready to enter into an assignment and assumption agreement, it's a good idea to have a firm grasp of the basics of assignment:

• First, carefully read and understand the assignment and assumption provision in the initial contract. Contracts vary widely in their language on this topic, and each contract will have specific criteria that must be met in order for a valid assignment of rights to take place.
• All parties to the agreement should carefully review the document to make sure they each know what they're agreeing to, and to help ensure that all important terms and conditions have been addressed in the agreement.
• Until the agreement is signed by all the parties involved, the assignor will still be obligated for all responsibilities stated in the initial contract. If you are the assignor, you need to ensure that you continue with business as usual until the assignment and assumption agreement has been properly executed.

Unless you're dealing with a complex assignment situation, working with a template often is a good way to begin drafting an assignment and assumption agreement that will meet your needs. Generally speaking, your agreement should include the following information:

• Identification of the existing agreement, including details such as the date it was signed and the parties involved, and the parties' rights to assign under this initial agreement
• The effective date of the assignment and assumption agreement
• Identification of the party making the assignment (the assignor), and a statement of their desire to assign their rights under the initial contract
• Identification of the third party accepting the assignment (the assignee), and a statement of their acceptance of the assignment
• Identification of the other initial party to the contract, and a statement of their consent to the assignment and assumption agreement
• A section stating that the initial contract is continued; meaning, that, other than the change to the parties involved, all terms and conditions in the original contract stay the same

In addition to these sections that are specific to an assignment and assumption agreement, your contract should also include standard contract language, such as clauses about indemnification, future amendments, and governing law.

Sometimes circumstances change, and as a business owner you may find yourself needing to assign your rights and duties under a contract to another party. A properly drafted assignment and assumption agreement can help you make the transfer smoothly while, at the same time, preserving the cordiality of your initial business relationship under the original contract.

by   Belle Wong, J.D.

Belle Wong, is a freelance writer specializing in small business, personal finance, banking, and tech/SAAS. She ...

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What Is an Assignment of Contract?

Assignment of Contract Explained

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Assignment of contract allows one person to assign, or transfer, their rights, obligations, or property to another. An assignment of contract clause is often included in contracts to give either party the opportunity to transfer their part of the contract to someone else in the future. Many assignment clauses require that both parties agree to the assignment.

Learn more about assignment of contract and how it works.

What Is Assignment of Contract?

Assignment of contract means the contract and the property, rights, or obligations within it can be assigned to another party. An assignment of contract clause can typically be found in a business contract. This type of clause is common in contracts with suppliers or vendors and in intellectual property (patent, trademark , and copyright) agreements.

How Does Assignment of Contract Work?

An assignment may be made to anyone, but it is typically made to a subsidiary or a successor. A subsidiary is a business owned by another business, while a successor is the business that follows a sale, acquisition, or merger.

Let’s suppose Ken owns a lawn mowing service and he has a contract with a real estate firm to mow at each of their offices every week in the summer. The contract includes an assignment clause, so when Ken goes out of business, he assigns the contract to his sister-in-law Karrie, who also owns a lawn mowing service.

Before you try to assign something in a contract, check the contract to make sure it's allowed, and notify the other party in the contract.

Assignment usually is included in a specific clause in a contract. It typically includes transfer of both accountability and responsibility to another party, but liability usually remains with the assignor (the person doing the assigning) unless there is language to the contrary.

What Does Assignment of Contract Cover?

Generally, just about anything of value in a contract can be assigned, unless there is a specific law or public policy disallowing the assignment.

Rights and obligations of specific people can’t be assigned because special skills and abilities can’t be transferred. This is called specific performance.   For example, Billy Joel wouldn't be able to transfer or assign a contract to perform at Madison Square Garden to someone else—they wouldn't have his special abilities.

Assignments won’t stand up in court if the assignment significantly changes the terms of the contract. For example, if Karrie’s business is tree trimming, not lawn mowing, the contract can’t be assigned to her.

Assigning Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks) has value, and these assets are often assigned. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) says patents are personal property and that patent rights can be assigned. Trademarks, too, can be assigned. The assignment must be registered with the USPTO's Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS) .  

The U.S. Copyright Office doesn't keep a database of copyright assignments, but they will record the document if you follow their procedure.

Alternatives to Assignment of Contract

There are other types of transfers that may be functional alternatives to assignment.

Licensing is an agreement whereby one party leases the rights to use a piece of property (for example, intellectual property) from another. For instance, a business that owns a patent may license another company to make products using that patent.  

Delegation permits someone else to act on your behalf. For example, Ken’s lawn service might delegate Karrie to do mowing for him without assigning the entire contract to her. Ken would still receive the payment and control the work.

Do I Need an Assignment of Contract?

Assignment of contract can be a useful clause to include in a business agreement. The most common cases of assignment of contract in a business situation are:

• Assignment of a trademark, copyright, or patent
• Assignments to a successor company in the case of the sale of the business
• Assignment in a contract with a supplier or customer
• Assignment in an employment contract or work for hire agreement

Before you sign a contract, look to see if there is an assignment clause, and get the advice of an attorney if you want to assign something in a contract.

Key Takeaways

• Assignment of contract is the ability to transfer rights, property, or obligations to another.
• Assignment of contract is a clause often found in business contracts.
• A party may assign a contract to another party if the contract permits it and no law forbids it.

Legal Information Institute. " Assignment ." Accessed Jan. 2, 2021.

Legal Information Institute. " Specific Performance ." Accessed Jan. 2, 2021.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. " 301 Ownership/Assignability of Patents and Applications [R-10.2019] ." Accessed Jan. 2, 2021.

Licensing International. " What is Licensing ." Accessed Jan. 2, 2021.

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How To Navigate The Real Estate Assignment Contract

What is assignment of contract?

Assignment of contract vs double close

How to assign a contract

Assignment of contract pros and cons

Even the most left-brained, technical real estate practitioners may find themselves overwhelmed by the legal forms that have become synonymous with the investing industry. The assignment of contract strategy, in particular, has developed a confusing reputation for those unfamiliar with the concept of wholesaling. At the very least, there’s a good chance the “assignment of contract real estate” exit strategy sounds more like a foreign language to new investors than a viable means to an end.

A real estate assignment contract isn’t as complicated as many make it out to be, nor is it something to shy away from because of a lack of understanding. Instead, new investors need to learn how to assign a real estate contract as this particular exit strategy represents one of the best ways to break into the industry.

In this article, we will break down the elements of a real estate assignment contract, or a real estate wholesale contract, and provide strategies for how it can help investors further their careers. [ Thinking about investing in real estate? Register to attend a FREE online real estate class and learn how to get started investing in real estate. ]

What Is A Real Estate Assignment Contract?

A real estate assignment contract is a wholesale strategy used by real estate investors to facilitate the sale of a property between an owner and an end buyer. As its name suggests, contract assignment strategies will witness a subject property owner sign a contract with an investor that gives them the rights to buy the home. That’s an important distinction to make, as the contract only gives the investor the right to buy the home; they don’t actually follow through on a purchase. Once under contract, however, the investor retains the sole right to buy the home. That means they may then sell their rights to buy the house to another buyer. Therefore, when a wholesaler executes a contact assignment, they aren’t selling a house but rather their rights to buy a house. The end buyer will pay the wholesale a small assignment fee and buy the house from the original buyer.

The real estate assignment contract strategy is only as strong as the contracts used in the agreement. The language used in the respective contract is of the utmost importance and should clearly define what the investors and sellers expect out of the deal.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind when considering using sales contracts for real estate:

Contract prohibitions: Make sure the contract you have with the property seller does not have prohibitions for future assignments. This can create serious issues down the road. Make sure the contract is drafted by a lawyer that specializes in real estate assignment contract law.

Property-specific prohibitions: HUD homes (property obtained by the Department of Housing and Urban Development), real estate owned or REOs (foreclosed-upon property), and listed properties are not open to assignment contracts. REO properties, for example, have a 90-day period before being allowed to be resold.

What Is An Assignment Fee In Real Estate?

An assignment fee in real estate is the money a wholesaler can expect to receive from an end buyer when they sell them their rights to buy the subject property. In other words, the assignment fee serves as the monetary compensation awarded to the wholesaler for connecting the original seller with the end buyer.

Again, any contract used to disclose a wholesale deal should be completely transparent, and including the assignment fee is no exception. The terms of how an investor will be paid upon assigning a contract should, nonetheless, be spelled out in the contract itself.

The standard assignment fee is $5,000. However, every deal is different. Buyers differ on their needs and criteria for spending their money (e.g., rehabbing vs. buy-and-hold buyers). As with any negotiations , proper information is vital. Take the time to find out how much the property would realistically cost before and after repairs. Then, add your preferred assignment fee on top of it.

Traditionally, investors will receive a deposit when they sign the Assignment of Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement . The rest of the assignment fee will be paid out upon the deal closing.

Assignment Contract Vs Double Close

The real estate assignment contract strategy is just one of the two methods investors may use to wholesale a deal. In addition to assigning contracts, investors may also choose to double close. While both strategies are essentially variations of a wholesale deal, several differences must be noted.

A double closing, otherwise known as a back-to-back closing, will have investors actually purchase the home. However, instead of holding onto it, they will immediately sell the asset without rehabbing it. Double closings aren’t as traditional as fast as contract assignment, but they can be in the right situation. Double closings can also take as long as a few weeks. In the end, double closings aren’t all that different from a traditional buy and sell; they transpire over a meeter of weeks instead of months.

Assignment real estate strategies are usually the first option investors will want to consider, as they are slightly easier and less involved. That said, real estate assignment contract methods aren’t necessarily better; they are just different. The wholesale strategy an investor chooses is entirely dependent on their situation. For example, if a buyer cannot line up funding fast enough, they may need to initiate a double closing because they don’t have the capital to pay the acquisition costs and assignment fee. Meanwhile, select institutional lenders incorporate language against lending money in an assignment of contract scenario. Therefore, any subsequent wholesale will need to be an assignment of contract.

Double closings and contract assignments are simply two means of obtaining the same end. Neither is better than the other; they are meant to be used in different scenarios.

Flipping Real Estate Contracts

Those unfamiliar with the real estate contract assignment concept may know it as something else: flipping real estate contracts; if for nothing else, the two are one-in-the-same. Flipping real estate contracts is simply another way to refer to assigning a contract.

Is An Assignment Of Contract Legal?

Yes, an assignment of contract is legal when executed correctly. Wholesalers must follow local laws regulating the language of contracts, as some jurisdictions have more regulations than others. It is also becoming increasingly common to assign contracts to a legal entity or LLC rather than an individual, to prevent objections from the bank. Note that you will need written consent from all parties listed on the contract, and there cannot be any clauses present that violate the law. If you have any questions about the specific language to include in a contract, it’s always a good idea to consult a qualified real estate attorney.

When Will Assignments Not Be Enforced?

In certain cases, an assignment of contract will not be enforced. Most notably, if the contract violates the law or any local regulations it cannot be enforced. This is why it is always encouraged to understand real estate laws and policy as soon as you enter the industry. Further, working with a qualified attorney when crafting contracts can be beneficial.

It may seem obvious, but assignment contracts will not be enforced if the language is used incorrectly. If the language in a contract contradicts itself, or if the contract is not legally binding it cannot be enforced. Essentially if there is any anti-assignment language, this can void the contract. Finally, if the assignment violates what is included under the contract, for example by devaluing the item, the contract will likely not be enforced.

How To Assign A Real Estate Contract

A wholesaling investment strategy that utilizes assignment contracts has many advantages, one of them being a low barrier-to-entry for investors. However, despite its inherent profitability, there are a lot of investors that underestimate the process. While probably the easiest exit strategy in all of real estate investing, there are a number of steps that must be taken to ensure a timely and profitable contract assignment, not the least of which include:

Find the right property

Acquire a real estate contract template

Submit the contract

Assign the contract

Collect the fee

1. Find The Right Property

You need to prune your leads, whether from newspaper ads, online marketing, or direct mail marketing. Remember, you aren’t just looking for any seller: you need a motivated seller who will sell their property at a price that works with your investing strategy.

The difference between a regular seller and a motivated seller is the latter’s sense of urgency. A motivated seller wants their property sold now. Pick a seller who wants to be rid of their property in the quickest time possible. It could be because they’re moving out of state, or they want to buy another house in a different area ASAP. Or, they don’t want to live in that house anymore for personal reasons. The key is to know their motivation for selling and determine if that intent is enough to sell immediately.

With a better idea of who to buy from, wholesalers will have an easier time exercising one of several marketing strategies:

Direct Mail

Real Estate Meetings

Local Marketing

2. Acquire A Real Estate Contract Template

Real estate assignment contract templates are readily available online. Although it’s tempting to go the DIY route, it’s generally advisable to let a lawyer see it first. This way, you will have the comfort of knowing you are doing it right, and that you have counsel in case of any legal problems along the way.

One of the things proper wholesale real estate contracts add is the phrase “and/or assigns” next to your name. This clause will give you the authority to sell the property or assign the property to another buyer.

You do need to disclose this to the seller and explain the clause if needed. Assure them that they will still get the amount you both agreed upon, but it gives you deal flexibility down the road.

3. Submit The Contract

Depending on your state’s laws, you need to submit your real estate assignment contract to a title company, or a closing attorney, for a title search. These are independent parties that look into the history of a property, seeing that there are no liens attached to the title. They then sign off on the validity of the contract.

4. Assign The Contract

Finding your buyer, similar to finding a seller, requires proper segmentation. When searching for buyers, investors should exercise several avenues, including online marketing, listing websites, or networking groups. In the real estate industry, this process is called building a buyer’s list, and it is a crucial step to finding success in assigning contracts.

Once you have found a buyer (hopefully from your ever-growing buyer’s list), ensure your contract includes language that covers earnest money to be paid upfront. This grants you protection against a possible breach of contract. This also assures you that you will profit, whether the transaction closes or not, as earnest money is non-refundable. How much it is depends on you, as long as it is properly justified.

5. Collect The Fee

Your profit from a deal of this kind comes from both your assignment fee, as well as the difference between the agreed-upon value and how much you sell it to the buyer. If you and the seller decide you will buy the property for $75,000 and sell it for $80,000 to the buyer, you profit $5,000. The deal is closed once the buyer pays the full $80,000.

Assignment of Contract Pros

For many investors, the most attractive benefit of an assignment of contract is the ability to profit without ever purchasing a property. This is often what attracts people to start wholesaling, as it allows many to learn the ropes of real estate with relatively low stakes. An assignment fee can either be determined as a percentage of the purchase price or as a set amount determined by the wholesaler. A standard fee is around $5,000 per contract.

The profit potential is not the only positive associated with an assignment of contract. Investors also benefit from not being added to the title chain, which can greatly reduce the costs and timeline associated with a deal. This benefit can even transfer to the seller and end buyer, as they get to avoid paying a real estate agent fee by opting for an assignment of contract. Compared to a double close (another popular wholesaling strategy), investors can avoid two sets of closing costs. All of these pros can positively impact an investor’s bottom line, making this a highly desirable exit strategy.

Assignment of Contract Cons

Although there are numerous perks to an assignment of contract, there are a few downsides to be aware of before searching for your first wholesale deal. Namely, working with buyers and sellers who may not be familiar with wholesaling can be challenging. Investors need to be prepared to familiarize newcomers with the process and be ready to answer any questions. Occasionally, sellers will purposely not accept an assignment of contract situation. Investors should occasionally expect this, as to not get discouraged.

Another obstacle wholesalers may face when working with an assignment of contract is in cases where the end buyer wants to back out. This can happen if the buyer is not comfortable paying the assignment fee, or if they don’t have owner’s rights until the contract is fully assigned. The best way to protect yourself from situations like this is to form a reliable buyer’s list and be upfront with all of the information. It is always recommended to develop a solid contract as well.

Know that not all properties can be wholesaled, for example HUD houses. In these cases, there are often anti-assigned clauses preventing wholesalers from getting involved. Make sure you know how to identify these properties so you don’t waste your time. Keep in mind that while there are cons to this real estate exit strategy, the right preparation can help investors avoid any big challenges.

Assignment of Contract Template

If you decide to pursue a career wholesaling real estate, then you’ll want the tools that will make your life as easy as possible. The good news is that there are plenty of real estate tools and templates at your disposal so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel! For instance, here is an assignment of contract template that you can use when you strike your first deal.

As with any part of the real estate investing trade, no single aspect will lead to success. However, understanding how a real estate assignment of contract works is vital for this business. When you comprehend the many layers of how contracts are assigned—and how wholesaling works from beginning to end—you’ll be a more informed, educated, and successful investor.

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Assign is the act of transferring rights , property , or other benefits to another party (the assignee ) from the party who holds such benefits under contract (the assignor). This concept is used in both  contract  and property law . 

Contract Law  

Under contract law, when one party assigns a  contract , the assignment represents both: (1) an assignment of rights; and (2) a delegation of  duties . 

• For example, if A contracts with B to teach B guitar for $50, A can assign this contract to C. 
• Here, A has both: (1) assigned A’s rights under the contract to the $50; and (2) delegated A’s  duty  to teach guitar, to C. 
• In this example, A is both the “assignor” and the “delegee” who delegates  the duties to another (C), C is known as the “ obligor ” who must perform the  obligations  to the  assignee , and B is the assignee who is owed duties and is liable to the obligor.

Assigning of Rights/Duties Under Contract Law

There are a few notable rules regarding assignments under contract law. 

First, if an individual has not yet secured the contract to perform duties to another, they cannot assign their future right to an assignee. 

• That is, if A has not yet contracted with B to teach B guitar, A cannot assign their rights to C. 

Second, rights cannot be assigned when they  materially change the obligor’s duty and rights. 

Third, the obligor can sue the assignee directly if the assignee does not pay them. 

• Following the previous example, this means that C ( obligor ) can sue B ( assignee ) if C teaches guitar to B, but B does not pay C $50 in return.

Delegation of Duties

If the promised performance requires a rare genius or skill, then the delegee cannot delegate it to the obligor. It can only be delegated if the promised  performance  is more commonplace. Further, an obligee can sue if the  assignee  does not perform.  However, the delegee is  secondarily liable  unless there has been an  express   release  of the delegee. 

• Meaning if B does want C to teach guitar but C refuses to, then B can sue C. If C still refuses to perform, then B can compel A to fulfill the duties under secondary liability.

Lastly, a related concept is  novation , which is when a new obligor substitutes and releases an old obligor.  If novation occurs, then the original obligor’s duties are wiped out. Novation requires an original obligee’s  consent . 

Property Law

Under  property law , assignment typically arises in landlord-tenant situations.

• For example, A might be renting from landlord B but wants another party (C) to take over the property. 
• In this scenario, A might choose between  assigning  and  subleasing  the property to C. 
• If  assigning , A would give C the entire balance of the term , with no reversion to anyone; whereas if  subleasing , A would give C the property for a limited period of the remaining term.
• Under assignment, C would have  privity  of  estate  with the landlord while under a sublease, C would not. 

[Last updated in June of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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Assignment of Contract – Assignable Contract Basics for Real Estate Investors

What is assignment of contract? Learn about this wholesaling strategy and why assignment agreements are the preferred solution for flipping real estate contracts.

Beginners to investing in real estate and wholesaling must navigate a complex landscape littered with confusing terms and strategies. One of the first concepts to understand before wholesaling is assignment of contract, also known as assignment of agreement or “flipping real estate contracts.”  

An assignment contract is the most popular exit strategy for wholesalers, and it isn’t as complicated as it may seem. What does assignment of contract mean? How can it be used to get into wholesaling? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Assignment of Contract?

How assignment of contract works in real estate wholesaling, what is an assignment fee in real estate, assignment of agreement pros & cons, assignable contract faqs.

• Transactly Saves Time. Learn How Now!

Assignment of real estate purchase and sale agreement, or simply assignment of agreement or contract, is a real estate wholesale strategy that facilitates a sale between the property owner and the end buyer.

This strategy is also known as flipping real estate contracts because that’s essentially how it works:

• The wholesaler finds a property that’s already discounted or represents a great deal and enters into a contract with the seller,
• The contract contains an assignment clause that allows the wholesaler to assign the contract to someone else (if they choose to!), then
• The wholesaler can assign the contract to another party and receive an assignment fee when the transaction closes.

Assignment of contract in real estate is a popular strategy for beginners in real estate investment because it requires very little or even no capital. As long as you can find an interested buyer, you do not need to come up with a large sum of money to buy and then resell the property – you are only selling your right to buy it .

An assignment contract passes along your purchase rights as well as your contract obligations. After the contract assignment, you are no longer involved in the transaction with no right to make claims or responsibilities to get the transaction to closing.

Until you assign contract to someone else, however, you are completely on the hook for all contract responsibilities and rights.

This means that you are in control of the deal until you decide to assign the contract, but if you aren’t able to get someone to take over the contract, you are legally obligated to follow through with the sale .

Assignment of Contract vs Double Closing

Double closing and assignment of agreement are the two main real estate wholesaling exit strategies. Unlike the double closing strategy, an assignment contract does not require the wholesaler to purchase the property.

Assignment of contract is usually the preferred option because it can be completed in hours and does not require you to fund the purchase . Double closings take twice as much work and require a great deal of coordination. They are also illegal in some states.

Ready to see how an assignment contract actually works? Even though it has a low barrier to entry for beginner investors, the challenges of completing an assignment of contract shouldn’t be underestimated. Here are the general steps involved in wholesaling.

Step #1. Find a seller/property

The process begins by finding a property that you think is a good deal or a good investment and entering into a purchase agreement with the seller. Of course, not just any property is suitable for this strategy. You need to find a motivated seller willing to accept an assignment agreement and a price that works with your strategy. Direct mail marketing, online marketing, and checking the county delinquent tax list are just a few possible lead generation strategies you can employ.

Step #2: Enter into an assignable contract

The contract with the seller will be almost the same as a standard purchase agreement except it will contain an assignment clause.

An important element in an assignable purchase contract is “ and/or assigns ” next to your name as the buyer . The term “assigns” is used here as a noun to refer to a potential assignee. This is a basic assignment clause authorizing you to transfer your position and rights in the contract to an assignee if you choose.

The contract must also follow local laws regulating contract language. In some jurisdictions, assignment of contract is not allowed. It’s becoming increasingly common for wholesalers to assign agreements to an LLC instead of an individual. In this case, the LLC would be under contract with the seller. This can potentially bypass lender objections and even anti-assignment clauses for distressed properties. Rather than assigning the contract to someone else, the investor can reassign their interest in the LLC through an “assignment of membership interest.”

Note: even the presence of an assignment clause can make some sellers nervous or unwilling to make a deal . The seller may be picky about whom they want to buy the property, or they may be suspicious or concerned about the concept of assigning a contract to an unknown third party who may or may not be able to complete the sale.

The assignment clause should always be disclosed and explained to the seller. If they are nervous, they can be assured that they will still get the agreed-upon amount.

Step #3. Submit the assignment contract for a title search

Once you are under contract, you must typically submit the contract to a title company to perform the title search. This ensures there are no liens attached to the property.

Step #4. Find an end buyer to assign the contract

Next is the most challenging step: finding a buyer who can fulfill the contract’s original terms including the closing date and purchase price.

Successful wholesalers build buyers lists and employ marketing campaigns, social media, and networking to find a good match for an assignable contract.

Once you locate an end buyer, your contract should include earnest money the buyer must pay upfront. This gives you some protection if the buyer breaches the contract and, potentially, causes you to breach your contract with the seller. With a non-refundable deposit, you can be sure your earnest money to the seller will be covered in a worst-case scenario.

You can see an assignment of contract example here between an assignor and assignee.

Step #5. Receive your assignment fee

The final step is receiving your assignment fee. This fee is your profit from the transaction, and it’s usually paid when the transaction closes.

The assignment fee is how the wholesaler makes money through an assignment contract. This fee is paid by the end buyer when they purchase the right to buy the property as compensation for being connected to the original seller. Assignment contracts should clearly spell out the assignment fee and how it will be paid.

An assignment fee in real estate replaces the broker or Realtor fee in a typical transaction as the assignor or investor is bringing together the seller and end buyer.

The standard real estate assignment fee is $5,000 . However, it varies by transaction and calculating the assignment fee may be higher or lower depending on whether the buyer is buying and holding the property or rehabbing and flipping.

The assignment fee is not always a flat amount. The difference between the agreed-upon price with the seller and the end buyer is the profit you stand to earn as the assignor. If you agreed to purchase the property for $150,000 from the seller and assign the contract to a buyer for $200,000, your assignment fee or profit would be $50,000.

In most cases, an investor receives a deposit when the Assignment of Purchase and Sale Agreement is signed with the rest paid at closing.

Be aware that assignment agreements can have a bad reputation . This is usually the case when the end buyer and seller are unsatisfied, realizing they could have sold higher or bought lower and essentially paid thousands to an investor who never even wanted to buy the property.

Opting for the standard, flat assignment fee is much more readily accepted by sellers and buyers as it’s comparable to a real estate agent’s commission or even much lower and the parties can avoid working with an agent.

Real estate investors enjoy many benefits of an assignment of contract:

• This strategy requires little or no capital which makes it a popular entry to wholesaling as investors learn the ropes.
• Investors are not added to the title chain and never own the property which reduces costs and the amount of time the deal takes.
• An assignment of agreement is easier and faster than double closing which requires two separate closings and two sets of fees and disclosures.
• Wholesaling can be a great tool to expand an investor’s network for future opportunities.

As with most things, there are important drawbacks to consider. Before jumping into wholesaling and flipping real estate contracts, consider the downsides .

• It can be difficult to work with sellers and buyers who are not familiar with wholesaling or assignment agreements.
• Some sellers avoid or decline assignment of contract offers because they are suspicious of the arrangement, think it is too risky, or want to know who they are selling to.
• There is a limited time to find an end buyer. Without a reliable buyer’s list, it can be very challenging to find a viable end buyer before the closing date.
• The end buyer may back out at the last minute. This may happen if they do not have owner’s rights until the contract is assigned or they do not want to pay an assignment fee.
• Not all properties are eligible for wholesaling like HUD and REO properties. There may be anti-assignment clauses or other hurdles. It is possible to get around this by purchasing the property with an LLC which can then be sold, but this is a level of complication that many wholesalers want to avoid.
• Assignors do not have owner’s rights. When the property is under contract, investors cannot make repairs or improvements. This makes it harder to assign a contract for a distressed property in poor condition.
• It can be hard to confirm an end buyer is qualified. The end buyer is responsible for paying the agreed upon price set by the seller and assignor. Many lenders do not handle assignment agreements which usually means turning to all-cash end buyers. Depending on the market, they can be hard to find.

In the worst-case scenario, if a wholesaling deal falls through because the end buyer backs out, the investor or assignor is still responsible for buying the property and must follow through with the purchase agreement. If you do not, you are in breach of contract and lose the earnest money you put down.

To avoid this worst-case scenario, be prepared with a good buyer’s list. You should only put properties under contract that you consider a good deal and you can market to other investors or homeowners. You may be able to get more time by asking for an extension to the assignment of contract while you find another buyer or even turn to other wholesalers to see if they have someone who would be a good fit.

What is the difference between assignor vs assignee?

In an assignment clause, the assignor is the buyer who then assigns the contract to an assignee. The assignee is the end buyer or final buyer who becomes the owner when the transaction closes. After the assignment, contract rights and obligations are transferred from the assignor to the assignee.

What Is an assignable contract?

An assignable contract in real estate is a purchase agreement that allows the buyer to assign their rights and obligations to another party before the contract expires. The assignee then becomes obligated to meet the terms of the contract and, at closing, get title to the property.

Is Assignment of Agreement Legal?

Assignment of contract is legal as long as state regulations are followed and it’s an assignable contract. The terms of your agreement with the seller must allow for the contract to be assumed. To be legal and enforceable, the following general requirements must be met.

• The assignment does not violate state law or public policy. In some states and jurisdictions, contract assignments are prohibited.
• There is no assignment clause prohibiting assignment.
• There is written consent between all parties.
• The property does not have restrictions prohibiting assignment. Some properties have deed restrictions or anti-assignment clauses prohibiting assignment of contract within a specific period of time. This includes HUD properties, short sales, and REO properties which usually prohibit a property from being resold for 90 days. There is potentially a way around these non-assignable contracts using an LLC.

Can a non-assignable contract still be assigned?

Even an non-assignable contract can become an assignable contract in some cases. A common approach is creating an agreement with an LLC or trust as the purchaser. The investor can then assign the entity to someone else because the contractual rights and obligations are the entity’s.

Assignment agreements are not as complicated as they may sound, and they offer an excellent entry into real estate investing without significant capital. A transaction coordinator at Transactly can be an invaluable solution, no matter your volume, to keep your wholesaling business on track and facilitate every step of the transaction to closing – and your assignment fee!

Adam Valley

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Contract Assignments

(This may not be the same place you live)

  What is a Contract Assignment?

In a contract assignment, one of the two parties to a contract may transfer their right to the other’s performance to a third party. This is known as “contract assignment.” Generally, all rights under a contract may be assigned. A provision in the contract that states the contract may not be assigned usually refers to the delegation of the assignor’s (person who assigns) duties under that contract, not their rights under the contract. 

In modern law, the phrase “assignment of contract” usually means assignment of both rights and duties under a contract.

Who are the Various Parties Involved in a Contract Assignment?

How is a contract assignment created, when is a contract assignment prohibited, which parties are liable to each other in a contract assignment, are there issues with multiple assignments, should i hire a lawyer for contract assignments.

In a contract, there are two parties to the agreement, X and Y. The parties may agree to let X assign X’s rights to a third party . Once the third party enters the picture, each party has a special name. For instance, suppose X, a seller of bookmarks, contracts with Y, a purchaser of bookmarks. Y desires to have Y’s right to X’s performance (the sale of bookmarks on a monthly basis) to another person. 

This third person, Z, is called the assignee. X is called the obligor , and Y is called the assignor , since Y has assigned its right to X’s performance . X, the obligor, is obligated to continue to perform its duties under the agreement.

There are no “magic words” needed to create an assignment. The law simply requires that the would-be assignor have an intent to immediately and completely transfer their rights in the agreement. In addition, writing is typically not required to create an assignment. As long as X and Y both adequately understand what right is being assigned, an assignment is created. 

Words that indicate a transfer is to take place suffice, such as “I intend to transfer my rights under this agreement,” or, “I intend to give my rights to Z,” or “I intend to confer an assignment on Z.” In addition,consideration,which is a bargained-for exchange required for a contract to be valid, is not required for assignment.

In certain instances, an assignment of contract rights can be prohibited. If the contract contains a clause prohibiting assignment of “the contract,” without specifying more, the law construes this language as barring only delegation of the assignor’s duties, not their rights. If the assignment language states “assignment of contractual rights are prohibited,” the obligor may sue for damages if the assignor attempts to assign the agreement. If the contract language states that attempts to assign “will be void,” the parties can bar assignment.of rights.

Under modern contract law, the phrase “I assign the contract” is usually interpreted to mean that one is assigning rights and duties. What is an assignment of duties? An assignment of duties occurs where Y, called the obligor or delegator, promises to perform for X, the obligee. Y then delegates their duty to perform to Z, the delegate. Under the law, most duties can be delegated. 

There are exceptions to this rule. Delegation can be prohibited when:

• The duties to be performed involve personal judgment and special skill (e.g., a portrait, creation of a custom-made dress). 
• “Personal judgment” is the exercise of some kind of superior judgment when it comes to determining how, when, or where to do something. Examples of individuals who exercise personal judgment include talent scouts and financial advisors.  Special skill is the unique ability to create a good or perform a service. A delegator can be prohibited from delegating duties when it is that specific delegator’s services are sought. For example, if the services of a specific famous chef are sought, and the original agreement was entered into on the understanding that the chef was hired for their specific talent, the delegator may not delegate the services;
• The assignment fundamentally changes risks or responsibilities under the agreement;
• The assignment is over future rights associated with a future contract that does not currently exist;
• Delegation would increase the obligation of the obligee. For example, if a shoe manufacturer contracts to deliver soles to a store in the same town as the shoe factory, the other party cannot assign the delivery to a different store in another state. Doing so would impose a greater obligation on the obligee than was originally contemplated;
• The obligee had placed special trust in the delegator. For example, assume that you have hired a patent attorney, based on that attorney’s significant skill and expertise, to obtain a valuable patent. You have placed special trust in this person, hiring them instead of other patent attorneys, because of their unique expertise. In such a situation, the attorney may not delegate his duties to another attorney (delegate), since the attorney was hired because of one person’s special capabilities;
• The delegation is of a promise to repay a debt; or
• The contract itself restricts or prohibits delegation. If the contract states, “any attempt to delegate duties under this contract is void,” a delegation will not be permitted.

In a contract involving assignment of rights, the assignee may sue the obligor. This is because the assignee, once the assignee has been assigned rights, is entitled to performance under the contract. If the obligor had a defense that existed in the original contract between obligor and assignor, the obligor may assert that defense against the assignee. Examples of such defenses include the original contract was not valid because of lack of consideration, or because there was never a valid offer or acceptance).

An assignee may also sue an assignor. Generally, if an assignment is made for consideration,it is irrevocable. Assignments not made for consideration, but under which an obligor has already performed, are also irrevocable. If an assignor attempts to revoke an irrevocable assignment,the assignee may sue for “wrongful revocation.” 

In circumstances involving delegation of duties,an obligee must accept performance from the delegate of all duties that may be delegated. The delegator remains liable on the agreement. Therefore, the obligee may sue the delegator for nonperformance by the delegate. The obligee may sue the delegate for nonperformance, but can only require the delegate to perform if there has been an assumption by the delegate. An assumption by the delegate is a promise that the delegate will perform the delegated duty, which promise is supported by consideration. 

Assignments that are not supported by consideration are revocable. If an initial assignment is revocable, a subsequent assignment can revoke it. If a first assignment is irrevocable, because consideration was present,the first assignment will usually prevail over a subsequent assignment. This means the person who can claim the assignment was first made to them will prevail over someone who claims a subsequent assignment. 

If, however, the second person paid value for the assignment, and entered into the assignment without knowing of the first assignment, the “subsequent”assignee is entitled to proceeds the first judgment against the obligor (the original party who still must perform), in the event such a judgment is issued,

If you have an issue with assignment of rights or duties under a contract, you should contact a contract lawyer  for advice. An experienced business lawyer near you can review the facts of your case, advise you of your rights, and represent you in court proceedings.

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Prior to joining LegalMatch, Daniel worked as a legal editor for a large HR Compliance firm, focusing on employer compliance in numerous areas of the law including workplace safety law, health care law, wage and hour law, and cybersecurity. Prior to that, Daniel served as a litigator for several small law firms, handling a diverse caseload that included cases in Real Estate Law (property ownership rights, residential landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosures), Employment Law (minimum wage and overtime claims, discrimination, workers’ compensation, labor-management relations), Construction Law, and Commercial Law (consumer protection law and contracts). Daniel holds a J.D. from the Emory University School of ... Read More

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Real Estate Contracts

What is an assignment contract.

Assignment contracts are a vehicle used by real estate investors to transfer one party’s rights and obligations under an existing real estate contract to another party. Assignment contracts don’t involve transferring or selling the property directly like a purchase agreement. Instead, the buyer under the original purchase agreement (the assignor) assigns their rights and obligations under the purchase agreement to the assignee, sometimes for a profit. The assignee then becomes the buyer under the original real estate contract.

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When Is an Assignment Contract Used?

In one scenario, a type of real estate investor called a wholesaler contracts with the current owner(s) of a distressed property that may be unsellable to average homebuyers. The wholesaler creates a purchase agreement with that owner to buy their property. The wholesaler then finds an end buyer who wants to take possession of the property. The assignment contract is then created to transfer the wholesaler’s rights and obligations under the original purchase agreement to the end buyer.  

Elements of an Assignment Contract

• Assignor : the real estate wholesaler. This is the person who is the buyer under the original purchase agreement and who is selling or transferring their rights and obligations under that contract. 
• Assignee : the end buyer. This is the person who is purchasing or receiving the assignor’s rights and obligations under the original purchase agreement and who would ultimately pay the purchase price (plus any assignment fee agreed to in the assignment contract) and take possession of the property. 
• Description or identification of contract being assigned:  a description of the original purchase agreement being assigned. Oftentimes, the assignment contract will also attach the original purchase agreement or state that it has been provided to the assignee.   
• Subject property information: the property address, legal description, or property identification number/parcel number for the property that is the subject of the original purchase agreement.  
• Assignment earnest money amount:  like with other types of real estate contracts, earnest money shows the assignee is a serious buyer. The money helps ensure that the assignee won’t back out of the deal for frivolous reasons. 
• Assignee’s purchase amount: the amount the end buyer agrees to pay that fulfills or exceeds the original purchase agreement amount. 
• Assignment fee: the amount of money the assignor will make for finding an end buyer. The assignment fee should be clearly set forth in the assignment contract.
• Name of the company holding escrow : the assignment contract will designate what company is holding escrow.  This escrow company should match the escrow company listed in the original purchase agreement or you will need an amendment to the original purchase agreement or, in states where it is permissible, a split escrow.  
• Closing date: the date by which the transaction should be finalized. This should correspond to the original purchase agreement’s closing date. If a different date is used, an amendment to the original purchase agreement may be required.  
• How assignment earnest money is handled : should one party cancel the contract or fail to meet the contractual obligations, the earnest money may either be forfeited by the assignee or returned. In instances of a dispute between the parties, the third party holding escrow may release the assignment earnest money pursuant to the terms and conditions of the assignment contract.

Writing a comprehensive assignment contract is a vital part of several real estate investing strategies. If you’re new to creating these kinds of contracts, be sure to get some legal advice before moving forward. Once you have a solid assignment contract template in place,  transactions using this contracting tool will run more smoothly. 

* The information provided on this site does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, financial, tax, or real estate advice. Please consult your expert for advice in those areas. All content is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide a complete description of the subject matter. Although Blueprint provides information it believes to be accurate, Blueprint makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of the information contained on this site. Specific processes will vary based on applicable law. The title and closing process will be handled by a third-party attorney to the extent required by law. Product offerings vary by jurisdiction and are not available or solicited in any state where we are not licensed.

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What is an Assignment Contract?

April 23rd, 2021

In this article, you’ll learn what an “assignment contract” is and why you need one to wholesale a house...

An “assignment” occurs when one party (known as the assignor) has an existing contract and transfers the contract’s obligations and benefits to another party (known as the assignee).

Why Use an Assignment Contract?

An assignment contract is a strategy wholesalers use to make money without using their own money. Sometimes this is called “flipping real estate contracts” because you’re flipping the contract (not the house) and making a wholesale fee!

Tips for Assignment Contracts

First, you want to be transparent with the seller. The seller should know that you are an investor who will be wholesaling their house. All of this is laid out in the contract, but sometimes you will come across sellers who are unfamiliar with assignments. You need to help them understand how the process works. Just remember: you are not selling the house, you are selling the rights to buy the house to the new investor. This is where they can get confused, so assure them it’s completely legal and will help sell their house!

Second, make sure to raise the purchase price (to the buyer) and build your fee into that price. This markup is your wholesale fee, also known as an “assignment fee.” Assignment fees range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the deal.

Let’s say you get a contract on a distressed house for $125,000 but rehabbers in that area are buying houses for around $140,000. That means you can build in a $15,000 assignment fee for yourself. When the deal closes, the buyer (the rehabber) will pay $140,000. Out of that, $125,000 will go to the seller and $15,000 will go to you!

Watch this video with Jerry Norton where he interviews someone who uses an assignment contract on their first deal!

How Do I Get an Assignment Contract?

The hardest (and most expensive) way to get an assignment contract is to pay an attorney to write one up for you. Luckily, we’ve done that work for you. Click HERE to get Jerry Norton’s Wholesaler Contract Pack which includes his attorney-approved Assignment Contract. This contract clearly states what the investor and seller will get out of the deal. It also includes the verbiage that gives you the authority to assign the property to another buyer.

Watch this YouTube video with Jerry Norton where he shows you step-by-step how to fill out an assignment contract.

Why Do Rehabbers Pay Wholesale Fees?

A question that new wholesalers often ask is: “Why would a fix and flipper want to buy my deals, when they could find their own?” The answer is simple: they don’t have the time to track down houses, run comps, and negotiate contracts! By finding deals, you are saving them countless hours and a ton of headaches. And since they will make a hefty profit when they resell the house, they will gladly pay your wholesale fee because it saves them time and effort.

5 Steps to an Assignment Contract Deal

• Find a distressed property
• Talk to the seller
• Get assignment contract signed
• Assign the contract to a final buyer
• Collect your fee at closing

Also, make sure to check out Jerry Norton’s wholesaling and house flipping software called Flipster. If you haven’t heard of Flipster, it’s a cloud-based all-inclusive software that helps you organize, streamline, and automate all the steps to wholesaling and flipping houses. It also comes with “fill in the blank” digital contracts (including an Assignment Contract). Click here to see it in action .

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Assignment And Assumption Agreement

Jump to section, need help with a legal contract, what is an assignment and assumption agreement.

An assignment and assumption agreement transfers one party's rights and obligations to a third party. The party making the assignment is called the assignor, while the third party accepting the assignment is known as the assignee.

The assignor assigns their rights and duties under the contract to the assignee and the assignee accepts, or "assumes," those rights and duties.

The other party to the initial contract must also consent to the transfer of rights and obligations to the assignee. For a valid assignment and assumption agreement, the initial contract must provide for the possibility of assignment by one of the initial contracting parties.

Common Sections in Assignment And Assumption Agreements

Below is a list of common sections included in Assignment And Assumption Agreements. These sections are linked to the below sample agreement for you to explore.

Assignment And Assumption Agreement Sample

Reference : Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-99.D.13 3 d416323dex99d13.htm ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT , Viewed October 6, 2021, View Source on SEC .

Who Helps With Assignment And Assumption Agreements?

Lawyers with backgrounds working on assignment and assumption agreements work with clients to help. Do you need help with an assignment and assumption agreement?

Post a project  in ContractsCounsel's marketplace to get free bids from lawyers to draft, review, or negotiate assignment and assumption agreements. All lawyers are vetted by our team and peer reviewed by our customers for you to explore before hiring.

Meet some of our Assignment And Assumption Agreement Lawyers

Led by Tamla N. Lloyd, Esquire, our firm prioritizes a client-centered approach and aim to provide comprehensive, personalized services to help clients achieve their legal goals.

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Bachelors Degree from the University of Iowa. Masters Degree from the University of Melbourne. J.D. from the University of Kansas. Licensed to practice law in Missouri and Kansas. Tennessee currently pending.

I graduated from Wayne State University in 1992 and was admitted to practice in Michigan the same year. I've been practicing in Traverse City since 1993. My goal is for clients to feel that I am accessible and prompt, while providing quality and affordable legal services.

With more than twenty years of experience, Attorney Paul Petrillo has written contracts, business agreements, wills, trusts and the like. Licensed in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Attorney Petrillo is regular user of remote and virtual communications and document exchanges, such as DocuSign, Adobe e-sign, as well as virtual meetings using Zoom and Webex, to make drafting contracts and communicating with clients quick and easy.

Stephen is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad College of Law, Stephen is licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York. He focuses on Morris, Passaic, and Bergen County, New Jersey, but services all of New Jersey. Before graduating, Stephen did an externship in Denver, Colorado with a focus on land use and development. Upon returning to New Jersey, he focused on Condominium and Home Owner Association. He also worked with Residential Real Estate Transactions and Estate Planning clients.

Admitted in NC in 1994. Law degrees from English and US law schools. Civil and criminal litigation experience as well as in house corporate attorney. Recipient of the highest civilian honors from 14 states, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a papally blessed knighthood and listed in NLJ as a recipient of on of their Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award winners and the NLJ top 40 trial lawyers in the USA under 40 years old.

Hello! I have been working in commercial real estate for about 20 years. My experience is mainly in-house with real estate developers. I enjoy doing commercial real estate transactional work, including leasing, acquisitions and dispositions. I can also lead due diligence efforts for a potential purchase of a real estate asset and review and resolve title issues.

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Assignment of Contract (What It Is And How It Works: Best Overview)

Looking for Assignment of Contract ?

What is the assignment of a contract in simple terms?

How does it work?

In this article, I will break down the meaning of contract assignment so you know all there is to know about it!

Keep reading as I have gathered exactly the information that you need!

Let me explain to you what assignment of contract means and why it matters!

Are you ready?

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

What Is Assignment of Contract

The assignment of contract refers to instances where one party to a contract transfers its rights and obligations to another party.

In other words, one contracting party exits the contract and another party steps in the exiting party’s shoes.

For instance, Mary and Joe are parties to a contract.

Joe assigns his rights and obligations under the contract to Tim.

The original contract now continues between Mary and Tim where Joe has stepped out.

The party assigning the contract is called the “assignor” and the third party stepping in to the assignor’s shoes is the “assignee”.

Be sure to keep reading as I will explain to you how the assignment works and it’s important that you know more about the assignor’s liability when assigning the contract.

Assignment Under Contract Law

Under contract law , the assignment of a contract is considered to include the assignment of rights and the delegation of the party’s duties to another.

This means that the assignor’s rights are passed on to the assignee.

In addition to that, the assignor’s duties under the contract are also assigned to the assignee.

Assignment Under Property Law

In property law, the assignment of contract generally takes place between landlords and tenants.

Typically, a person (the tenant) will sign a lease with another party (the landlord) to rent an apartment or premises.

If the tenant wishes to leave the premise without breaching the terms of the contract, an assignment may be an option.

In that case, the tenant will assign its rights and duties under the lease agreement to another party (a new tenant).

How Assignment of Contract Works

To better understand the assignment of contract, let’s look more closely at how it works.

Contract Assignment Clause

One of the first things you should consider when contemplating an assignment of a contract is to find the contract assignment clause in your contract.

In most commercial contracts, the parties will include an assignment clause governing the possible assignment by the parties.

Some contracts will authorize the assignment, others will limit assignment to specific situations, while some contracts entirely prohibit assignments.

Be sure to read the contract assignment to see how your contract regulates assignments.

Consent To Assignment of Contract

In most cases, a contracting party looking to assign the contract to another party will need to get the consent of the other contracting party.

If the staying party consents to the assignment, the assignor can proceed with the assignment of the agreement to a third party (or assignee).

However, if the staying party does not consent to the assignment, then the other party must remain in the contract and observe its contractual obligations.

Assignor’s Liability

Assigning a contract does not necessarily mean that the assignor will be released of all liability under the contract.

Depending on the assignment clause language, the assignor may have the right to assign the contract but continue to remain liable under the contract.

In the event the assignor may continue to remain liable under the contract, it’s important that an assignment agreement be signed where the staying party releases and discharges the assignor of future contract liability .

Assignment Enforceability

Under the assignment law, when a contract is assigned as per the terms of the contract, the assignment will be legally enforceable.

However, assignment contracts are not enforceable if the contract prohibits the assignment, the assignment agreement is not materially consistent with the obligations under the original contract, or the assignment violates public policy or the law in some way.

In addition, a contract cannot be assigned if the assignor is not formally in a contract.

There are also instances where the contract requires that a party with special skills or unique characteristics render the services or perform the obligations, and an assignment would not work.

Keep reading as I will now give you an example of contract assignment so you can see how it works in practice.

Contract Assignment Process

The actual contract assignment process is fairly straightforward for most contracts.

Contract Assignment Steps

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to assign a contract:

• See if the contract has an assignment clause
• Make sure that the assignment clause authorizes assignments 
• If the assignment is authorized, follow the assignment logistic provided in the contract 
• If the assignment is prohibited, you may want to speak to the other contracting party to see if you could get consent to assign the contract

In some cases, all you may need to do is to give notice of assignment to provide the details of the assignment if the contract allows for an assignment this way.

In other cases, you may want to have an assignment agreement signed by the staying party, the exiting party, and the third party detailing the terms and conditions of the assignment.

Assignment Agreement Content

When a contract assignment agreement is needed, you should make sure that you include all the right information for the assignment to be valid and enforceable.

In most cases, the assignment of the contract is simple where you may find an assignment of contract form online to complete.

For simple assignment contracts, here is the content that you should expect:

• Identification of the parties (original contract parties and assignee)
• Contract assignment effective date
• Original contracting party’s consent to the assignment
• Assignee’s acceptance of the assignment 
• Assignor’s release and discharge of obligations going forward 
• Governing law 
• Signature block for the three parties 

Alternatives To Assignment Contracts

What are the alternatives to a contract assignment?

Here are the main alternatives to a contract assignment:

• Novation 

Licensing refers to situations when a party authorizes another party to use a property or asset (whether tangible or intangible).

Delegation is when someone authorizes another to act on its behalf under a contract.

Novation is when a new party takes on a contracting party’s rights and obligations where the existing party’s rights are relinquished and all liability under the original contract wiped out.

Assignment of Contract vs Delegation of Contract

What is the difference between the assignment of a contract and the delegation of a contract?

The “assignment” of contract refers to a situation where one contracting party “transfers” the contract to a third party.

Once the assignment is completed, the assignor will no longer be in a contract with the other contracting party and the assignee will take the assignor’s place.

For example, Party A and Party B are part of a service contract.

Party B assigns the contract to Party C.

Going forward, the contract will be between Party A and Party C.

On the other hand, a delegation is when a party to a contract subcontracts parts of a contract to another party.

The party delegating the contract to another remains a contracting party and will remain responsible for the contract even though the obligations were delegated to another.

For example, a general contractor may delegate the plumbing work in a project to a plumber.

Although the general contractor has delegated part of the project to a subcontractor, it remains a contracting party and will remain responsible for the overall project.

Assignment of Contract Example

Let’s look at a few examples of when a contract may be assigned to another.

Assignment of Contract In Bankruptcy

You have entered into a contract with a company providing you with phone services.

The company goes bankrupt.

In the context of the bankruptcy, another phone company buys out a portion of the bankrupt’s book of business and your contract is in the pool of assets purchased.

The bankruptcy trustee assigns your contract from the bankrupt phone company to the new phone company.

Assignment of Contract In Real Estate

In real estate, some investors engage in assignment transactions where they do not actually buy the property but enter into a purchase contract that it then assigns to another.

In essence, the real estate investor enters into a real estate purchase agreement defining the terms and conditions relating to the purchase of a property.

Following the executing of the real estate purchase agreement and prior to the “closing” of the transaction, it assigns the contract to another party in an attempt to make a profit without ever actually owning the property.

Assignment of Contract In Corporate Restructuring

In the corporate world, companies tend to restructure their operations to ensure they are legally and operationally optimized.

In the context of a corporate restructuring transaction, a company may assign a contract to another entity within its group, a subsidiary, or an affiliate.

Assignment of Agreement Takeaways 

So there you have it folks!

What Does Assignment of Contract Mean

“Assignment of contract” is a legal term used to refer to situations where a party to an existing contract transfers its contractual obligations to another party.

Following the assignment , the assignee becomes responsible to execute the contractual obligations in favor of the party staying in the original contract.

If you are looking to assign a contract, you may want to consult with a qualified contract attorney who can assess your rights and obligations.

Keep in mind that a simple assignment of a contract does not necessarily mean that the assignor is released from liability under the original contract.

Now that you know what is an assignment of contract, how it works, and what it entails, good luck with your transaction!

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I started this blog out of my passion to share my knowledge with you in the areas of finance, investing, business, and law, topics that I truly love and have spent decades perfecting.

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If you enjoyed this article on what is an assignment contract, I recommend you look into the following terms and concepts. Enjoy!

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ClutchPoints

Guardians surprisingly designate key pitcher for assignment

Posted: November 15, 2023 | Last updated: November 15, 2023

The Cleveland Guardians’ roster may look a lot different in 2023. Starting pitcher Shane Bieber is being mentioned in trade rumors , and Cleveland designated another starter in Cal Quantrill for assignment Tuesday, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic .

Despite still having two years of team control remaining on his contract Cleveland decided to make this rather surprising move. Quantrill did not have a great 2023 season by any means, but he was solid in 2022 and is still just 28-years old.

The right-hander was limited to 19 starts during the ’23 campaign, pitching to the tune of a 5.24 ERA. He struggled with his command at times and never seemed to find much of a rhythm on the mound. Missing a significant amount of time due to injury surely did not help in that regard.

However, Quantrill impressed in 2021 and 2022. He pitched in 40 games (22 starts) in 2021, recording a 2.89 ERA. In 2022, Quantrill helped the Guards win the AL Central by posting a 3.38 ERA across 32 starts.

He will likely draw interest around the league given his track record.

Guardians’ roster questions after Quantrill decision

Cleveland needs to address their offense this offseason. They obviously have pitching question marks as well, especially with the possibility of Shane Bieber getting traded. Offense, though, was their downfall in 2023.

Jose Ramirez continues to be a star but he simply did not receive much help this past season. Josh Naylor has hot stretches, Andres Gimenez was a 2022 All-Star who struggled in 2023, and Steven Kwan offers plenty of contact ability from the left side of the plate.

Adding at least two reliable hitters will be important for the Guardians though.

Bullpen wise, Cleveland features a number of talented arms. Closer Emmanuel Clase leads the way for the Guards’ relief core.

Bieber, if he isn’t traded, will lead the starting rotation in 2024. The Guardians are hoping for a healthy season for Triston McKenzie. Many people around the MLB world believe McKenzie has ace-caliber potential.

Quantrill entered 2023 as the Guardians’ No. 3 pitcher in the rotation. That spot will likely now belong to AL Rookie of the Year finalist Tanner Bibee. Despite not winning the AL ROY, Bibee performed well in 2023.

Cleveland has holes on the roster that need addressing, but this team can compete if they are aggressive during the offseason.

The post Guardians surprisingly designate key pitcher for assignment appeared first on ClutchPoints .

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Guardians Designate Cal Quantrill For Assignment

By Steve Adams | November 14, 2023 at 5:28pm CDT

The Guardians have designated right-handers Cal Quantrill and Michael Kelly for assignment, per a team announcement. Their spots on the 40-man roster go to fellow righties Cade Smith and Daniel Espino , whose contracts have been selected in order to protect them from next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

Quantrill is the most notable name designated for assignment so far today — a veteran of four-plus big league seasons who was locked into a rotation spot in Cleveland heading into the 2023 season. He struggled badly in an injury-shortened year, however, and the Guards will designate him for assignment rather than pay him a raise in arbitration. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had projected a $6.6MM salary for the former first-round pick.

Prior to the 2023 season, a DFA of Quantrill would have seemed far-fetched. While it might’ve been easy to envision a scenario where Cleveland ultimately traded the righty — as they frequently do with pitchers late in their arbitration years — a straight jettison from the roster for a righty who pitched 336 innings of 3.16 ERA ball from 2021-22 speaks to the magnitude of his struggles in 2023.

Granted, Quantrill enjoyed that success despite a well below-average 18% strikeout rate, but he at least partially offset that lack of whiffs and punchouts with strong command (6.8% walk rate) and a knack for inducing weak contact (87.6 mph average exit velocity, 35% hard-hit rate).

The 2023 campaign couldn’t have gone much more poorly for Quantrill. Shoulder inflammation wiped out more than two months of season, and when he was healthy enough to take the mound he limped to a 5.24 ERA with fielding-independent metrics to match. His fastball, which averaged a career-high 95.3 mph back in 2020, was down to 94.1 mph in 2023, and he posted career-worst strikeout, walk and ground-ball rates of 13.1%, 7.9% and 40.8%. Of the 141 pitchers who tossed at least 90 innings in 2023, Quantrill’s strikeout rate ranked 140th, leading only 40-year-old Adam Wainwright , who retired at season’s end.

The Guardians are known for their ability to regularly churn out quality arms, and their second-to-none pitching development was on full display in ’23, with top prospects Tanner Bibee (the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up), Gavin Williams and Logan Allen all not only making their MLB debuts but almost immediately stepping up as MLB-caliber rotation options. That trio, combined with Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie , gives Cleveland a strong starting five even without Quantrill. Of course, since Bieber has just one year of club control remaining, he’s a trade candidate himself this winter , but the Guards could potentially receive a viable rotation replacement in moving him, sign one in free agency or simply turn to their farm system for yet another rotation candidate.

Cleveland will have a week to trade Quantrill or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. Presumably, the Guards explored trade possibilities before making today’s move to DFA him. That doesn’t mean a deal can’t yet be reached, but there’s now a clock on any dealings. Quantrill would certainly be a candidate to be claimed, and he’d have the right to elect free agency if he clears. One way or another, this DFA all but closes the door on his time with the organization. Any team that claims Quantrill could control him for two more years via arbitration, but they’d have to be willing to pay him something in the vicinity of that projected $6.6MM salary next year.

The rest of Cleveland’s moves are less surprising. Kelly is a 31-year-old journeyman who pitched a career-high 16 2/3 innings in the Cleveland bullpen this year. He held his own with a 3.78 ERA and average 22.5% strikeout rate, but he also walked more than 12% of his opponents and had similar command issues in Triple-A. Like Quantrill, he’ll be traded or potentially passed through waivers within a week’s time. He can elect free agency if he clears.

Espino entered the season ranked as one of the sport’s five best pitching prospects despite a lengthy list of injuries already on his resume. He wound up missing the entire year due to a shoulder procedure performed in early May. The talent is still there for Espino to be a coveted prospect, but with a mounting number of injuries under his belt, he’s fallen well down (or entirely off) most prospect rankings.

Smith, 24, was a 16th-round pick by the Twins back in 2017 but didn’t sign, instead opting for college. He subsequently went undrafted because of the shortened nature of the 2020 draft and signed as a free agent with the Guardians thereafter. He worked exclusively out of the bullpen in 2023, pitching 62 2/3 innings of 4.02 ERA ball between Double-A and Triple-A. It was a pedestrian earned run average, but Smith also fanned a sky-high 35.2% of his opponents. Given his ability to miss bats and his proximity to the Majors, he’d quite likely have been selected in the Rule 5 Draft had Cleveland not protected him. He’ll now have a chance to earn his first big league look this coming season.

Red Sox should claim Quantrill

He won’t make it that far.

The sox finished pretty poorly ..theres a chance

If you want him, you’ll have to trade for him.

Cleveland will trade him.

Hope this means they keep Bieber at least until contention is decided next season.

3 fifths of last year’s opening day roster is gone. Add battenfield, and Pilkington to the list, a huge makeover.

Incredible considering how young everyone claimed that playoff team was

Padres get him back

As a Yankee fan I was hoping NYY would trade for Bieber and Quantrill this offseason but can a CLEV fan explain why CLEV would do this?

Quantrill is horrid

PattheBat — Last year, yes. But not before. He’ll get picked up quickly.

Mmm nope, he’s always been terrible

10 hours ago

He is not terrible. A good 4th SP when healthy.

He was designed for assignment not released. Do they have 10 days to work a trade? Its unlike this FO to not seek a return.

It’s now 7 days to find a trade. Part of the new CBA.

My bet is Shane Bieber remains a Guardian for the start of the 2024 season. Cleveland still has seven days to find a trade for Quantrill.

This is true. They probably are hoping that teams desperate for pitching will offer something in the next 7 days.

The Guardians have a pretty good handle on their pitching. If they are literally giving him away it means that there is no market for him and they don’t expect him to perform up to his arbitration contract. It also could mean that his attitude is not what they expected. They have a somewhat short leash for players with attitude issues. I have never perceived Quantrill as an attitude issue, but maybe there are things going on in the clubhouse that we don’t know about. It also could be that his shoulder problems are much more severe than what was publicly announced.

Did you read the article ? Interesting fact, Cal has the worst K rate out of any starter in all of baseball. That prob has a lot to do with getting cut.

I hope he goes to my favorite teams biggest rival lol

It’s literally explained in the post you failed to read…apparently.

The best I can explain it is that Quantrill was very clearly no longer one of the 5 best starters at their disposal. McKenzie, Bibee, and Williams are their best 3. Bieber has a Cy Young to his name and might be opening day starter but is coming off his own down and injury plagued year. Logan Allen was clearly better.

From there, the argument for keeping Quantrill is basically that you think its likely someone will be hurt and he is a better option than Xzavion Curry (who was nails as a mop up reliever and very shaky as a starter), or Hunter Gaddis. But they do still have other arms. And realistically your 5th starter gets skipped a lot anyway. Paying $6.6m to Quantrill to be a 5th starter who specifically keeps down Allen or someone else who is probably a better starter doesn’t make sense.

The idea behind DFAing him now seems to be that they were trading him anyway, and weren’t expecting much. By putting him on waivers it forces teams who might be interested to not drag their feet on it and claim him/trade for him now. It seems likely he gets claimed, and someone lower on the wire will likely want him enough to surrender some low level lottery ticket type prospect.

I believe your are correct. I’m also starting to wonder if there his injury didn’t fully heal

They need bullpen help and think they will try out Cade Smith, who was protected. They have any number of guys who can fill in at #5 starter.

Wow. Holy cr@p, I did not expect that.

Rays will claim him and turn him into solid gold in their rotation. Granted, he did not have a good year in 2023, but I can’t believe the Guards couldn’t even get a low level lottery ticket for him on the trade market as needy as some clubs are this winter. Plesac I get, but at least Quantrill was still serviceable.

Not for 6.6 mil. Feels like an Angels play. 6.6 mil is chump change to Arte.

Is it too much for TB?

Mo should get on the phone. Quantrill would be a good 4th starter.

I’d trade them hudson or woodford for him. Maybe they’d be interested in knizer?

Think they will want someone who does not need to be on the 40 man as its currently full.

I’m more surprised that one of Dayan Frias or Tanner Burns wasn’t added to the 40 man than I am that Quantrill was DFAed. Burns in particular is probably getting picked in the rule 5 draft because he’s the type of high floor depth arm that usually gets taken.

I imagined that Cal would be traded or even non-tendered this offseason anyway, so they could have been close to trading him and just needed the roster spot before the deadline. I doubt it was just for financial reasons.

I’m surprised they didn’t protect Burns, too, but I think his velocity and spin rate were way down this year and they had concerns that they wouldn’t rise back up.

I think the writing was on the wall when they kept him in Akron and had him pitching out of the bullpen towards the end of the year. But I still think someone ends up taking a flyer on him.

Your link for Cade Smith takes you to the BR page of a different Cade Smith.

not all heroes wear capes!

He’ll get picked up pretty fast!

Oak/KC/Chi Sox should claim him but they won’t…again

He was going to make at least 5 million in arbitration so this isn’t totally shocking. A little surprised but not shocked.

He could have been an expensive 6th starter next year.

5 million dollars for those 2023 results is a lot for a lower budget team like Cleveland.

Besides, Cleveland seems to grow quality pitchers in a lab, they’ve probably got some new crop of pitchers waiting for tryouts in Spring Training.

Yeah I think it’s a situation where another team might give him 5 million but the Guardians didn’t want to. And if he’s only worth 5 million he didn’t have any trade value so no real loss by DFAing him.

Guardians will use the savings to pay their ball park ushers next year, but one wonders why they couldn’t trade him for Cash. The Guardians lead all of MLB in transactions for Cash!

They made Francona the highest paid manager in the league when he was there and they spent a few million to add Giolito/Moore/Lopez for a month when they still had an outside chance at the division.

Trust me, I wish they’d spend more too. But this joke is getting old, if it was ever funny to begin with.

You want a cheap owner? Look no further than John Fisher and his Athletics.

Cleveland at least tries to be competitive when they’re on it.

“tries” ? they haven’t had an outfielder of note since Encarnacion and I think he was just a DH actually, so…. when did they last have a MLB caliber outfielder? I honestly don’t know.

Yes, Cleveland tries. Since the start of 2013, Cleveland has the fourth highest winning percentage in MLB. They do that with a small market budget. I say that they are trying pretty hard.

@PhanaticDuck … remember Michael Brantley or Grady Sizemore???

If they hadn’t made the futile attempt by claiming those guys and saving the Angels money, maybe they could have afforded Quanty. . Maybe the Angels could use their money saved to claim him.

I don’t think they got rid of Quantrill for financial reasons, or if their finances were that bad then I highly doubt they would have claimed those guys when they were still under .500 even if the division was still technically within reach.

I definitely get why other teams would be interested in him, but the Guardians DFAed him because he was really bad last year. I doubt there’s more to it than that.

Or maybe he’s not good enough to pitch for the guardians ??

Welcome to KC, Cal!! Hope you kill it in 2024!

$6.6M!!!! get him outta here!

Someone is picking up Quantrill for sure!

More likely someone trades something for him.

Move is just infuriating for this Guardians fan. On roster freeze day only one team in baseball does something shockingly negative. BTW, they could have dumped AAAA trash Rivas and ristered another prospect like Hankins or Frias. Then you have the Lsureano situation whose salary is not that different from Quantrills. Yet they will pay 4× million for a backup OFer and dump a starting pitcher for nothing. Just look at this thread and see how many other teams need pitching.

What’s the obsession with Hankins? I’ve seen a lot of people here and on Twitter complaining that he wasn’t protected.

He was a high draft pick and has name value but he’s been toast for a few years as the injuries have set in. He’s not worth a 40 man roster spot and went unpicked last year when anyone could have taken him.

On roster freeze day only one team in baseball does something shockingly negative. ================================ What’s the negative? His K% has declined four years running, from 9.3 to 8.0 to 7.3 to 6.2 to 5.2. Of the 172 pitchers with at least 80 IPs, Quantrill ranks #168.

I wouldn’t want him at that price, and I doubt anyone will either.

Hope the Rockies end up with him. I’d rather have Quantrill on the 40 man than either of the 2 class A arms that were selected today. I don’t care what your velocity is, if your ERA is over 6 in high A, you aren’t going to be much good in the majors for at least a few years if ever,

How do sinkerball pitchers fare in your ballpark?

Aaron Cook made a really nice career for himself at Coors with a good sinker. The Rockies have always prized sinkerballers and superior infield defense because they feel getting more ground balls is the key to being successful in Coors. And I believe they are correct.

The problem is that when those same pitchers that are great at Coors come back to sea level, their stuff doesn’t translate as well It is one of the biggest reasons the Rockies usually have such a big difference in their record at home and on the road.

Quantrill was one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball this year, that was an easy roster decision for Cleveland. Can’t miss bats which led to him giving up a lot of hits.

I would expect him to go unclaimed, even at a $6.6M salary.

Po Boy will sign this guy and say he got an ace. It will be Weaver all over again.

He looked like he was turning the corner towards the end of the season, but he’s a 5th starter at best. Really has value as a spot starter swing man. The Plasac and Quantrill vibes were great for 80s baseball fans.

@CO Guardening – I don’t know about that. Last 4 starts had a 5.43 FIP. He did have a couple nice starts back to back 9/1, 9/7, but things slipped again after that.

He was pretty miserable from late May through all of August, and it was his 3rd consecutive year of increasing ERA and FIP, plus dropping K rates and strand rates. Combine that with his decreased velocity and I don’t think the Guardians are counting on a rebound.

18 hours ago

He’s definitely a case of diminishing returns. Tends to get in trouble often. The defense bailed him out a few times but then be lacks the ability to get out of a jam with a timely strikeout. Ultimately this was a good move.

I can see him going to the Pirates. They keep losing pitchers to injury. He doesn’t have good numbers, but I could see them rolling the dice on him.

Anthopoulos grab Cal please!

I have just confirmed the Guardians will trade Quantrill for Cash, once he goes through the designation process. I believe there will now be 3 or 4 Cashes in their lineup next year.

Dude, what time do you go on stage.

Your as funny as dead cockroach.

Unless they have a trade brewing, I’m shocked by the Quant DFA.

No doubt that he had a bad 2023. He had a few glimmers of success but it was a bad year. I’d figure they’d look at his 2021/2022 performance and just chalk up 2023 as a result of injuries.

They weren’t going to pay $6.6M to the 6th or 7th best pitcher on the roster. He did pitch better in his couple of starts at the end of the season. Yes, it was about money. But it’s a smart decision about money.

Strikes out nobody and is injured. Great combination. Makes a bit of coin too so that eliminates the poverty franchises rolling the dice.

Wrong Cade Smith. Here’s the correct link: baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=smi…

A trade might have been imminent, so they rolled the dice and put a timer on. That will risk losing Quantrill for nothing, but losing one of the prospects for nothing might be worse.

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