I used to think “paperwork kills passion” until I learned the opposite

When I first started my business here in LA, I was that guy who thought contracts were only for people who didn’t trust each other. Everything we did was based on a handshake, a few texts, and “we’ll figure it out later.” It felt easy and honest until real money got involved. That’s when things started falling apart. A few missed payments, miscommunication over who owned what and suddenly everyone remembered things differently. I had to learn the hard way that paperwork doesn’t kill trust it protects it.
Now, every deal, every partnership, even small projects it all goes in writing. It makes things smoother and honestly saves friendships too.
And I’ve kind of started seeing it the same way in my personal life. Even something like a prenup isn’t about mistrust its just being clear early, before emotions or money complicate things