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Step one: group questions by decision
Start by sorting every possible question into groups the visitor recognizes: the parties, the property, the money, the rules and the exit. In the worked example, a landlord with one apartment sees five short sections instead of forty fields. The money section asks for rent, due date, deposit and late fee together, because those answers depend on each other. Keep each screen to one decision cluster, and show progress plainly. Grouping by decision lets people stop and resume, helps them spot missing information early, and keeps the page from feeling like a legal form that demands everything at once.
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Step two: explain each term beside the field
Every field needs a one-sentence reason and, where useful, a typical example. Next to security deposit, say what it covers and that local rules may cap the amount or set return deadlines, then invite the user to confirm them. In the worked example, the landlord choosing a pet policy sees three options: no pets, pets with a fee, or pets with written approval. Each option displays the clause it will insert. This turns the questionnaire into learning as well as data entry, reduces abandoned drafts, and gives tenants reading the preview a way to understand what they are agreeing to.
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Step three: preview, flag and hand off
After the last section, show the assembled draft beside a short summary: term dates, monthly amount, deposit, and any choices left blank. Highlight unanswered items and clauses that commonly vary by location, with a prompt to review them with a qualified professional. In the worked example, the landlord sees that the late fee is highlighted and edits it before downloading. Offer a printable version and a plain-language summary a tenant can read in two minutes. The page should state clearly that the draft is a starting point, not a substitute for advice, so the handoff feels responsible and complete.