Contingent means that an event may or may not occur in the future, depending on the fulfillment of some condition that is uncertain. This term is often used in contracts where the event will not take effect until the specified condition occurs.
Contingent fees create an undue emphasis on the extent of the plaintiff's damages, and they encourage the filing and prosecution of cases with large damages but little negligence. Take the case of parents who come to the attorney's office with a brain-damaged child requiring custodial care.
A contingency clause in a real estate transaction may require the buyer to obtain financing before the seller transfers the deed. If the buyer cannot bring together sufficient funds to complete the sale, then both parties may have the right to walk away from the deal.
We want to help you prepare for the worst-case scenario, which is why we created this straightforward guide to three types of contingencies: Design contingencies. Bidding contingencies. Construction contingencies.
Your REALTOR® should be able to help you decide which contingency waivers, if any, are right for you. Appraisal Contingency – Low Risk. Financing Contingency – High Risk. Home Inspection Contingency – Medium Risk. Home Sale Contingency – Low Risk. Title Search Contingency – High Risk.
The most common contingency is the home inspection contingency. This condition on an offer states the home sale will only be finalized if the property passes a professional home inspection. In other words, buyers can walk away from a home sale if the home inspection turns up serious problems.
Key Takeaways A contingency is a potentially negative event that may occur in the future, such as an economic recession, natural disaster, or fraudulent activity.