Apply consistent styles across doc

This contract must read consistently. Standardize styles across the whole document: set Normal to Times New Roman 12, Heading 1 to Times New Roman 14 Bold with 12pt spacing after, Heading 2 to 12pt Bold with hanging paragraph indent for clause numbering, and set the default bullet and numbered list to single-spaced with 6pt after. Update all instances so there is no direct formatting left. Run a quick find for inconsistent fonts and fix them, then save as Contract_Final_Consistent.docx.

Before I hand this to Legal for final review, make it easy for them to confirm consistency. Put the effective style map up front: show what Normal, H1, H2, Quote, and List will look like. Highlight three spots where reviewers usually object — clause numbering, cross-reference style, and inline bolding — and propose the minimal edits to avoid their pauses. Flag any paragraph styles that will change page breaks or clause numbering.

Legal just returned the draft saying clause numbers and cross-references look inconsistent. I already set Heading styles but numbering still skips and some clauses are on different fonts. I do not know whether numbering was locally edited or a different numbering scheme was used. I cannot retype clauses. What likely explanation explains skips in numbering despite correct Heading styles, how do I diagnose which paragraphs carry local numbering overrides, and what is the cleanest fix that preserves clause text while restoring automatic numbering?

Every contract we handle requires an afternoon of style corrections: restoring numbering, fixing fonts, and reflowing clauses. That is costing billable hours and ticking off partners. Where do we keep losing time and consistency, and what single habit or file template change would cut that cleanup work by half for incoming drafts from external counsel?