When Signers Have Second Thoughts: How to Handle It
When Signers Have Second Thoughts: How to Handle It
It was 4:47 PM on a Friday afternoon when the call came. "I just signed, but... can I take it back? My lawyer says I should read it again." The voice on the phone sounded panicked. We've all been there - that moment when you realize you might have acted too quickly.
In the paper world, this would be a nightmare. But digitally? It's actually quite simple - if you know how.
Regret is Human (and More Common Than You Think)
Let's start with reality: About 3% of all digital contracts experience some form of regret or change after the first signature. It's not because people are unreliable - it's because reality is complex.
The typical scenarios:
- The lawyer provides input after signing
- The spouse wasn't informed
- An important detail was overlooked
- A better offer appears
- Simple misunderstandings
The interesting part? In 90% of cases, it's not about dropping the deal entirely - just adjusting the details.
The Legal Reality
Here's the good news: Digital signatures aren't magic. They follow the same rules as paper. A contract is only binding when all parties have signed - and even then, there are often cancellation or withdrawal clauses.
With ePact, you can:
- Cancel a document before everyone has signed
- Send updated versions
- Track exactly who has seen/signed what
- Document the entire process
The digital trail actually becomes your best friend in these situations. Everything is documented, timestamped, and transparent.
Practical Handling: Keep It Simple
Scenario 1: Before everyone has signed Stop the process immediately. Notify all parties that the document is withdrawn. Upload the corrected version and start over. Yes, it's annoying, but far better than legal problems later.
Scenario 2: Everyone has signed This gets more complex. You need all parties to sign a cancellation or amendment. But even this is easier digitally - no one needs to meet physically.
Scenario 3: Technical errors "I accidentally clicked sign!" Check if your platform has a confirmation step. ePact always requires active consent - no one signs by accident.
Prevention is Better Than Firefighting
The best regret cases are those that never happen:
Give time for consideration: Don't send contracts with "now" deadlines. Respect that big decisions require thinking time.
Be crystal clear: Highlight important points. Use summaries. Make it easy to understand what's being signed.
Communicate openly: "Do you have questions before signing?" works better than "Signature required ASAP!"
Use preview: Let people see the document before they go to sign. Surprises create regret.
When Damage is Done
Receiving a panicked call about regret? Take a deep breath. In 95% of cases, there's a solution that works for everyone. Digital systems actually make it easier to correct mistakes than paper ever did.
Remember: A signature is the beginning of a collaboration, not the end. Treat regret as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship through professional handling.
And next time? Maybe send the document with the message: "Take your time to read through it. We're here if you have questions."
Because the best contract is the one no one regrets.
