IAAL...I need your wisdom

I know this is off topic but I need your knowledge...We need to write a letter to someone regarding payment for work my husband has done creating a web page for a man that owns a company. To make a long story short, this guy wanted my husband to work on a web page for him and his company, offering to pay him $20/hour under the table. He has worked on the project for 8 hours, (over the weekend) and decided that he needed to write up an informal contract so that we know we can and will get paid. When it was brought up today the man said no way, he doesn't sign contracts etc...So he was never going to pay him...is what we concluded. My husband and him disagreed of course and the man said, just bring in what you have done to my secretary, and leave your time sheet and I will send you a check. Well, we all know he isn't going to pay him, he wants him to drop off what he's done and that's it. I told my hubby he is NOT to drop it off, but that we would send him a letter stating that if he wanted the work he would have to pay us in exchange. So we want to send him a letter with the timecard, but I want this letter to be REALLY good...IAAL..could you PLEASE give me an example on what this letter should look like? It would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KimLong:
[b]I know this is off topic but I need your knowledge...We need to write a letter to someone regarding payment for work my husband has done creating a web page for a man that owns a company. To make a long story short, this guy wanted my husband to work on a web page for him and his company, offering to pay him $20/hour under the table. He has worked on the project for 8 hours, (over the weekend) and decided that he needed to write up an informal contract so that we know we can and will get paid. When it was brought up today the man said no way, he doesn't sign contracts etc...So he was never going to pay him...is what we concluded. My husband and him disagreed of course and the man said, just bring in what you have done to my secretary, and leave your time sheet and I will send you a check. Well, we all know he isn't going to pay him, he wants him to drop off what he's done and that's it. I told my hubby he is NOT to drop it off, but that we would send him a letter stating that if he wanted the work he would have to pay us in exchange. So we want to send him a letter with the timecard, but I want this letter to be REALLY good...IAAL..could you PLEASE give me an example on what this letter should look like? It would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!![/b]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dear Kim:

It is generally best to send one effective demand letter rather than a stream of collection letters. An effective demand letter is firm but brief (it is not necessary to relate all the details of the transaction at this stage). The letter can instruct the debtor to make payment directly to you by a given date. As an example:


[name of debtor]
[street address]
[city, state, zip code]
CERTIFIED MAIL - Number ________________________
[date]

RE: Your obligation to [name] for payment of Internet web page creation services

Dear (name of debtor) :

As you know, at your insistance, we entered into a verbal agreement on (date). You asked me to create Internet Web pages for you and your company. For that, you agreed to pay me $20.00 per hour, after I have substantially performed the work. I agreed to these terms and conditions. I have now completed my end of the bargain, having worked on the same for 8 hours, and I am owed $160.00 by you. The Web pages are now available at my residence for your review. You may contact me for an appointment at my phone number listed above. The Web pages substantially conform, if not exactly, to your specifications and instructions.

However, when I attempted to have you sign a memorandum concerning this matter, you refused, demanding that I merely leave my said work product at your offices for later payment by you, on an unspecified date. This is unacceptable. I, therefore, demand payment from you for the full amount of $160.00. Once payment has been made, I will deliver the Web pages to you.

This letter is sent partly as a courtesy to give you an opportunity to pay the amount due without the additional embarrassment and expense of litigation. Please note carefully that this is not the first in a series of collection letters; no other notice or demand will be given.

Please send payment directly to me within [.....] days from the date of this letter. If payment is not received by me within such time, a lawsuit will be commenced against you.

Sincerely,

__________________________________
(Name)


I would also suggest that you send such a letter by Certified, Return Receipt Mail, only.


Good Luck.

IAAL



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That is awesome IAAL! "Thank you"!