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Cheaper way to sue for non-payment?
Thread poster: Alain Alameddine
Alain Alameddine
Alain Alameddine  Identity Verified
Lebanon
Local time: 16:32
Member (2009)
English to French
+ ...
Aug 18, 2019

Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to sue a Utah-based agency for non-payment. They owe me around $20,000. But lawyer fees end up amounting to around half of that amount. I can do it anyway -receiving $10,000 is better than nothing- but is there really no cheaper way for me to recover payment?

Thank you very much!

Alain

Somnath Dey
 
Kevin Fulton
Kevin Fulton  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 09:32
German to English
Half a loaf better than none Aug 18, 2019

Even if you managed to find someone to sue on your behalf in Utah small claims court, according to a quick Google search, the maximum claim is $11,000. Even a collection agency will charge at least 1/3 of your claim, plus a fee even to consider your claim, since you are suing from abroad. International lawsuits are by nature expensive. You might also check online with the US Bankruptcy Court for the district of Utah whether your deadbeat has filed for bankruptcy. An good attorney will check, but... See more
Even if you managed to find someone to sue on your behalf in Utah small claims court, according to a quick Google search, the maximum claim is $11,000. Even a collection agency will charge at least 1/3 of your claim, plus a fee even to consider your claim, since you are suing from abroad. International lawsuits are by nature expensive. You might also check online with the US Bankruptcy Court for the district of Utah whether your deadbeat has filed for bankruptcy. An good attorney will check, but it's better to find out yourself before engaging a lawyer to save the expense of finding out the bad news. ▲ Collapse


Thayenga
Jean Lachaud
 
Michael Newton
Michael Newton  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 09:32
Japanese to English
+ ...
Non-payment Aug 18, 2019

It is too late now but in future I would advise insisting on being paid a minimum of say, USD 5,000, before continuing onto the rest of a large project. This will minimize the damage.

Vadim Kadyrov
 
IrinaN
IrinaN
United States
Local time: 08:32
English to Russian
+ ...
Before anything else Aug 18, 2019

Pay a small amount to a lawyer to draw a letter reminding the agency that this amount is well-worth reporting to both US IRS and FBI, and see what happens.

Or even better, start with checking both hotlines yourself.

Vadim Kadyrov
Grace Anderson
 
Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Tone isn't that supportive. I get your point, but it may be misinterpreted.


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Cheaper way to sue for non-payment?







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