How do I make a loan agreement between friends?

Asked by: Sylvia Hickle  |  Last update: March 13, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)

Here are some of the items that should be included when creating such a contract:
  1. Identification. Those involved in the contract should share their full names and addresses. ...
  2. Date. ...
  3. Loan amount. ...
  4. Collateral. ...
  5. Interest rate. ...
  6. Repayment schedule. ...
  7. Penalties. ...
  8. Jurisdiction.

Can I make my own loan agreement?

A personal loan agreement is a legally binding contract that defines the expectations for both a borrower and a lender. It can be drawn up with an official lender, like a bank or credit union, or used in a more informal situation, such as with a friend who's lending you an amount of money.

How do I set up a loan between friends?

Get It in Writing
  1. Your name and the borrower's name.
  2. The date the loan was granted.
  3. The amount of money being lent.
  4. Minimum monthly payment.
  5. Payment due date.
  6. Interest rate, if you're charging interest.
  7. Consequences for defaulting on the loan.

How to write a simple loan agreement?

Key Components of a Loan Agreement
  1. Parties Involved. Clearly identify the lender and borrower with their full legal names. ...
  2. Loan Amount & Interest. ...
  3. Repayment Schedule. ...
  4. Late Payment Fees. ...
  5. Collateral (For Secured Loans) ...
  6. Default Consequences. ...
  7. Governing Law. ...
  8. Signatures.

Does a personal loan agreement need to be notarized?

First and foremost, understand that personal loan agreements fall into the classification of contracts. Technically, you don't have to notarize these documents. But if you want to make this document legally binding, then notarization is the best course of action.

How To Write A Loan Agreement Between Friends? - CreditGuide360.com

23 related questions found

Is a handwritten loan agreement legally binding?

There are no legal differences between typed and handwritten agreements when it comes to enforceability. When most people think of a contract, a formally typed, the professional contract usually comes to mind. Nonetheless, a handwritten contract can be as valid as one that's typed.

How to write a loan agreement letter between friends?

Here are some of the items that should be included when creating such a contract:
  1. Identification. Those involved in the contract should share their full names and addresses. ...
  2. Date. ...
  3. Loan amount. ...
  4. Collateral. ...
  5. Interest rate. ...
  6. Repayment schedule. ...
  7. Penalties. ...
  8. Jurisdiction.

Can you write your own agreement?

Yes, you can write your own contract. However, including all necessary elements is crucial to make it legally binding.

How do I write a loan agreement between family members?

Writing a family loan agreement

Your family loan agreement should include the loan amount, method of payment, when payments will be made and what will happen if you pay off the debt early, miss payments or stop paying entirely. You can find family loan templates online on sites like TemplateLab and Legal Templates.

What is the difference between a promissory note and a loan agreement?

Key takeaways

A loan agreement is a contract between a borrower and a lender that specifies what each party has agreed to. A promissory note is where one party promises, in writing, to pay a set amount to the other according to their agreement.

What is the lowest interest rate you can charge a family member?

There is no minimum interest rate you are required to charge, but you will be liable for taxes if you decide to give a below market interest loan to the IRS. This is because as a lender, you are expected to charge market interest and if you don't do so, you are in effect liable for the interest foregone on the loan.

What is the $100,000 loophole for family loans?

The $100,000 Loophole.

With a larger below-market loan, the $100,000 loophole can save you from unwanted tax results. To qualify for this loophole, all outstanding loans between you and the borrower must aggregate to $100,000 or less.

How much can I loan a friend without tax implications?

There may be tax implications.

If the money is a loan greater than $10,000, your loved one is required to charge an interest rate in line with IRS guidelines, known as the Applicable Federal Rate (the rate changes every month). Otherwise, the money is considered income that you can be taxed on.

How to write a letter of agreement between two parties?

How To Write a Letter of Agreement
  1. Begin With the Basics. Start by listing the date, the names, and contact information of all parties involved. ...
  2. Define the Scope. ...
  3. Set the Timeline. ...
  4. Outline Payment Details. ...
  5. Incorporate Legal Clauses. ...
  6. Detail Dispute Resolution. ...
  7. Termination Conditions. ...
  8. Close With Signatures.

What is required in a loan agreement?

A loan agreement is a formal contract between a borrower and a lender. These counterparties rely on the loan agreement to ensure legal recourse if commitments or obligations are not met. Sections in the contract include loan details, collateral, required reporting, covenants, and default clauses.

How to lend money to a friend legally?

Use these documents to protect yourself when you're lending money.
  1. Promissory Note. A Promissory Note documents the borrower's legally binding promise to repay a loan under certain terms and conditions. ...
  2. Financial Statement (Personal) ...
  3. Demand Letter. ...
  4. Personal/Corporate Guarantee. ...
  5. Deed of Trust. ...
  6. Amortization Schedule.

Do I have to report a family loan to the IRS?

What's more, if the loan exceeds $10,000 or the recipient of the loan uses the money to produce income (such as using it to invest in stocks or bonds), you'll need to report the interest income on your taxes.

Can I give an interest free loan to a friend?

If you lend the money at no interest, the IRS can consider the loan a gift, making you liable for gift taxes. The repayment schedule that the borrower must follow. State whether you'll require periodic payments, a balloon payment or some combination.

Who writes a loan agreement?

Lenders are typically responsible for drawing up a loan contract to detail the commitments of a loan agreement with borrowers, from how funds will be used to exactly how and when they will be repaid.

Do you need a lawyer to make an agreement?

If you're asking whether you need a lawyer to draft a contract, legally, the answer is no. Anyone can draft a contract on their own and as long as the elements above are included and both parties are legally competent and consent to the agreement, it is generally lawful.

How do you write a simple agreement?

How to draft a contract in 13 simple steps
  1. Start with a contract template. ...
  2. Understand the purpose and requirements. ...
  3. Identify all parties involved. ...
  4. Outline key terms and conditions. ...
  5. Define deliverables and milestones. ...
  6. Establish payment terms. ...
  7. Add termination conditions. ...
  8. Incorporate dispute resolution.

Does a written agreement need to be notarized?

Many types of written contracts don't require a notary public to be valid. However, if a person's signature has been notarized, generally, courts waive the legal obligation or duty to prove contract authentication. This can save you a lot of time and money.

How to write a loan agreement between family members?

How to make a family loan agreement
  1. The amount borrowed and how it will be used.
  2. Repayment terms, including payment amounts, frequency and when the loan will be repaid in full.
  3. The loan's interest rate. ...
  4. If the loan can be repaid early without penalty, and how much interest will be saved by early repayment.

How do I write a simple loan agreement template?

How to Write a Loan Agreement
  1. Step 1 – Name the Parties. ...
  2. Step 2 – Write Down the Loan Amount. ...
  3. Step 3 – Specify Repayment Details. ...
  4. Step 4 – Choose How the Loan Will Be Secured (Optional) ...
  5. Step 5 – Provide a Guarantor (Optional) ...
  6. Step 6 – Specify an Interest Rate. ...
  7. Step 7 – Include Late Fees (Optional)

How do you write an agreement between two people?

Steps For A Legal Agreement Between Two Parties
  1. It should be in writing. ...
  2. Deal with the right person. ...
  3. Parties detail should be mention correctly. ...
  4. Specify each detail in a legal agreement. ...
  5. Payment obligations shall be clear. ...
  6. Termination Clause shall be mentioned. ...
  7. Dispute resolution. ...
  8. Pick a state law to govern the agreement.