This happened in Montgomery, Alabama
on 9/29/05 I agreed to sell a car to an individual for $1000 up front and another $1000 which was to be paid no later than 10/19/2005. I kept the title. I made him sign a contract, which I will link to which included details of penalties of non-payment. In addition to the contract, he verbally agreed not to modify the car until it was paid in full.
Within a few days of 9/29 He had put a different transmission in the car as well as changed a lot of wiring and asked me to come help him as he was having problems with the car. I, being the nice guy I am, looked past this although I verbalized my disapproval. I got the car running temporarily and told him steps he needed to get the car running reliably.
A few weeks later, he was demanding his $1000 back and wanted me to take the now not-running car back. I told him I would make a trip to him and try to fix his mistakes. I went to his home town (about an hour from mine) and could not get the car running. Feeling that I had let him down, I offered to forfeit the "late fees" and accept $800 for the car if he could pay me within 2 weeks which has passed long ago.
Since this incident, I have talked to him demanding money and he claims to not have any to give me. As of a few weeks ago, he has lost his job and also his cellular phone no longer answers. Unfortunatly his cellular phone was the only means of contact. I have no address and I only know of a few friends of his. I am trying to get some contact information through them but have not had any luck. They all claim that they don't know where he is and they haven't seen him.
How can I take him to court if I can't get in touch with him and don't know his address?
Also, the contract is a bit messy but would it be valid in a court of law?
Thank you so much for any advice you can give
LINK TO CONTRACT:
http://67.33.14.41/contract.jpg
on 9/29/05 I agreed to sell a car to an individual for $1000 up front and another $1000 which was to be paid no later than 10/19/2005. I kept the title. I made him sign a contract, which I will link to which included details of penalties of non-payment. In addition to the contract, he verbally agreed not to modify the car until it was paid in full.
Within a few days of 9/29 He had put a different transmission in the car as well as changed a lot of wiring and asked me to come help him as he was having problems with the car. I, being the nice guy I am, looked past this although I verbalized my disapproval. I got the car running temporarily and told him steps he needed to get the car running reliably.
A few weeks later, he was demanding his $1000 back and wanted me to take the now not-running car back. I told him I would make a trip to him and try to fix his mistakes. I went to his home town (about an hour from mine) and could not get the car running. Feeling that I had let him down, I offered to forfeit the "late fees" and accept $800 for the car if he could pay me within 2 weeks which has passed long ago.
Since this incident, I have talked to him demanding money and he claims to not have any to give me. As of a few weeks ago, he has lost his job and also his cellular phone no longer answers. Unfortunatly his cellular phone was the only means of contact. I have no address and I only know of a few friends of his. I am trying to get some contact information through them but have not had any luck. They all claim that they don't know where he is and they haven't seen him.
How can I take him to court if I can't get in touch with him and don't know his address?
Also, the contract is a bit messy but would it be valid in a court of law?
Thank you so much for any advice you can give
LINK TO CONTRACT:
http://67.33.14.41/contract.jpg