Should I sign a contract after 2+ years of freelance work, when I've already given notice? [closed]
Background I'm a freelance software developer. I currently work for a single client full time (40+ hours a week). I started with the client in February 2023, and became full-time in December 2023. I and my client are in the United States, though in different states. In February 2025, I gave my client notice that I wanted to leave. At their request I've extended the initial "notice period" more than once, and the current timeline is that this week (ending April 13th) is my final full-time week, after which I've committed to 10 hours a week for a period of about 2 months (no firm end date aside from "launch of Project X"). I don't have a formal signed contract with this client, other than an open "contract" on a freelancing platform. In the past they've brought that up and I indicated I had no problem signing a formal contract, but they never ended up sending one. As far as I know the lack of a formal contract hasn't been a problem for either of us before now. In November 2024 they hired a freelance developer directly (not via the platform), and had the developer sign a contract. The developer didn't last long, but that's not relevant here. They didn't send me a contract at that time. In January 2025 a new freelance developer started, also with no contract at the time other than on the freelancing platform. Again no contract for me at that time. In February I gave my notice. Last week (first week of April), a freelancer via the platform who was intended to replace me signed a contract, then was immediately caught doing something shady and the contract was terminated. At the end of that week (last Friday), my client sent formal contracts to the January-hired developer and me. Question Without even going into specific issues I see in the contract, which I could potentially bring up and resolve, is there any reason for me to consider signing a contract at all? Though I doubt my client will terminate the engagement early if I decline, I also would have no problem with them doing so. At this point I'm staying due to my commitment to stay; if they choose to terminate for not signing the contract, I'm fine with that. I see no reason to encumber myself by signing a legally binding document at this point. Am I missing something? Secondary question: What might my client present as reasons they really need me to sign the contract? Peace of mind given recent experience with a shady freelancer? Covering legal bases for the business? What else? Is any of that reason enough for me to sign something/anything?
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Background
I'm a freelance software developer. I currently work for a single client full time (40+ hours a week). I started with the client in February 2023, and became full-time in December 2023. I and my client are in the United States, though in different states.
In February 2025, I gave my client notice that I wanted to leave. At their request I've extended the initial "notice period" more than once, and the current timeline is that this week (ending April 13th) is my final full-time week, after which I've committed to 10 hours a week for a period of about 2 months (no firm end date aside from "launch of Project X").
I don't have a formal signed contract with this client, other than an open "contract" on a freelancing platform. In the past they've brought that up and I indicated I had no problem signing a formal contract, but they never ended up sending one. As far as I know the lack of a formal contract hasn't been a problem for either of us before now.
In November 2024 they hired a freelance developer directly (not via the platform), and had the developer sign a contract. The developer didn't last long, but that's not relevant here. They didn't send me a contract at that time.
In January 2025 a new freelance developer started, also with no contract at the time other than on the freelancing platform. Again no contract for me at that time.
In February I gave my notice.
Last week (first week of April), a freelancer via the platform who was intended to replace me signed a contract, then was immediately caught doing something shady and the contract was terminated. At the end of that week (last Friday), my client sent formal contracts to the January-hired developer and me.
Question
Without even going into specific issues I see in the contract, which I could potentially bring up and resolve, is there any reason for me to consider signing a contract at all? Though I doubt my client will terminate the engagement early if I decline, I also would have no problem with them doing so. At this point I'm staying due to my commitment to stay; if they choose to terminate for not signing the contract, I'm fine with that. I see no reason to encumber myself by signing a legally binding document at this point. Am I missing something?
Secondary question: What might my client present as reasons they really need me to sign the contract? Peace of mind given recent experience with a shady freelancer? Covering legal bases for the business? What else? Is any of that reason enough for me to sign something/anything?
