Spring Cleaning Your Contracts: The AI Prompts to Get You Started
You made it to Q2. Now look at your contracts.
Not because something went wrong. Because something probably has changed, quietly and in the background, while you were busy building. Scope creep. Terms that no longer reflect your value. Vague language that made sense when you were just getting started but now leaves too much room for interpretation. Or because you’ve simply changed the way you provide services, manage client relations, or handle changes or conflicts. It’s all a natural part of business growth.
Spring is a good time to look at what you've been carrying. Here's how to use AI to do a first pass. Before you bring in counsel, and before something forces your hand.
(two very important disclaimers: First: AI is absolutely not a substitute for legal counsel, and in some cases it has been found to be conducting the unlicensed practice of law. These tips are meant to help you be better informed and prepared when you are ready to speak with a licensed attorney. You should not rely on AI for legal advice. Second: free versions of nearly all AI tools, and in some cases the lower-tier paid versions have been found by courts to be a waiver of certain rights of confidentiality. In other words, most AI inputs are equivalent to posting on public forums. Do not upload any private, personal, confidential, or otherwise sensitive information into AI without first confirming the version you are using provides proper privacy protections. Once you’ve done that, proceed.)
The Quick-Start Prompt
Copy this and paste your contract text directly after it.
"I am going to paste a contract below. Please do the following:
1. Summarize the key terms in plain language. What each party is agreeing to, what is being exchanged, and for how long.
2. Flag any language that is vague, undefined, or open to interpretation. Especially as it pertains to things like scope, ownership, usage rights, payment, and responsibilities.
3. Identify any clauses that automatically renew, trigger obligations, or limit my ability to work with others.
4. Note anything that seems one-sided, outdated, or worth revisiting with an attorney.
Do not give me legal advice. Give me a clear, plain-language summary I can use to understand what I am working with.
Here is the contract: [paste here]"
That's your starting point. From there, here's how to go deeper on each of the four areas worth reviewing this season.
1. Old Agreements
If your scope, pricing, or services have changed, your contract needs to reflect that. An outdated agreement doesn't just feel wrong. It creates gaps. And gaps get filled in ways you don't control.
Prompt to use:
"Review the scope and deliverables section of this contract. Based on what is written, what am I actually obligated to provide? Flag anything that is broad, ambiguous, or could be interpreted to require more than what I likely intended. Also note whether there is any language about changes to scope, pricing adjustments, or what happens if the work evolves.
Here is the contract: [paste here]"
2. Terms You Agreed to Early On
Early compromises don't age well. You are likely more valuable now than when you first started using your contract. If you offered certain terms because you needed the projects, that's understandable. But it doesn't mean you have to keep offering them discounted services now. You can also use this to evaluate third party contracts you have signed.
Prompt to use:
"Look at the compensation, payment, and term sections of this contract. Flag any terms that seem unusually one-sided, below market, or that limit my ability to renegotiate or exit the agreement. Is there a renewal clause? Does it auto-renew? What are my options if I want to renegotiate or end the relationship?
Here is the contract: [paste here]"
3. "We'll Figure It Out Later" Clauses
Vague ownership and usage rights don't stay harmless. The longer they go unresolved, the more complicated they become, especially if your content, brand, or creative work has grown in value. Clarity now is always cheaper than a dispute later.
Prompt to use:
"Focus on the intellectual property, ownership, and usage rights sections of this contract. Who owns the work product? Are there any assignments of rights? In other words, do I give up ownership of anything I create? How can my work be used, by whom, and for how long? Flag anything that is undefined, overly broad, or that could be interpreted to give the other party more rights than I likely intended.
Here is what I expect from this relationship: [provide details of what you understand the deal is] and here is the contract: [paste here]"
4. Contracts You Haven't Opened Since Signing
If you don't remember what it says, that is the risk. Auto-renewals, exclusivity windows, and IP assignment clauses have a way of running quietly in the background long after you've moved on.
Prompt to use:
"Do a full review of this contract and flag: any dates or deadlines that may have already passed or are approaching, any clauses that automatically renew or extend the agreement (or timeframes for terminating the relationship), any exclusivity provisions that limit who I can work with, and any obligations that are still active. Give me a timeline of key dates if possible.
Here is the contract: [paste here]"
Bonus: A Few Extra Things to Keep in Mind
AI is a starting point, not a finish line. It will not catch everything. It does not know your industry, your relationship with the other party, or what you actually intended when you signed. What it can do is help you understand what you're sitting on, and help you walk into a legal conversation better prepared to ask the important questions.
If something comes up in your review that concerns you, that's exactly what it's supposed to do. Bring it to an attorney before it becomes a problem.
The strongest moves aren't just bold. They're anticipated.