They can be typed or handwritten, drawn up by either party, and appear on any sort of document—including the proverbial cocktail napkin. At a bare minimum, an IOU should include the borrower's name, the lender's name, the amount of the debt, the current date, the date the debt is due, and the borrower's signature.
Promissory notes are quite simple and can be prepared by anyone. They do not need to be prepared by a lawyer or be notarized. It isn't even particularly significant whether a promissory note is handwritten or typed and printed.
A simple promissory note might be for a lump sum repayment on a certain date. For example, let's say you lend your friend $1,000 and he agrees to repay you by December 1st. The full amount is due on that date, and there is no payment schedule involved.
A letter of commitment is an official contract between a company and an individual stating that the company plans to hire the individual on certain terms.
A commitment is not synonymous with an approval. While receiving a firm commitment or a conditional commitment are both positive pieces of news on your homebuying journey (especially the firm letter), this isn't the end of the application process.
How to draft a contract between two parties: A step-by-step checklist Know your parties. Agree on the terms. Set clear boundaries. Spell out the consequences. Specify how you will resolve disputes. Cover confidentiality. Check the legality of the contract. Open it up to negotiation.