GeorgeSpelvin
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? GA
I do a little part-time consulting work as an independent consultant. I worked for one small business for about six months. No written contract in place; I knew the people involved and had worked for them previously. Given the history and the small amounts of work involved ($500-$1000/month), I didn't put a written contract in place. However, I do have many emails in which the owner has authorized the work and agreed to pay the rate charged and the hours worked per task, etc. I also have invoices for each of the last several months, along with the corresponding checks paid to me by the business (which I think clearly show the arrangement).
The owner told me about a month ago that it would be the last month that I would be providing the services to them due to some changes in their operation. (I suspect some financial problems but have no way to confirm this). I was fine with that and there was no indication of a problem. I submitted my final invoice, nothing unusual, and expected my final payment.
Unfortunately, this schmuck figures that since he doesn't need me to do future work for him, he doesn't have to bother paying my final invoice. He will not respond to calls, emails, or letters and no check has arrived.
We're only talking about $1200 but there's a principle involved. It's called getting paid for work performed!
Any ideas on what kind of case I have in Small Claims Court (Magistrate's Court actually, in Georgia). Honestly, I just want to make this guy expend $1200 in his time and effort, whether I get the money back or not. We had a relationship of trust and good faith and he basically violated that over a measley $1200 -- and I suspect he's done it to others.
Thoughts or suggestions?
I do a little part-time consulting work as an independent consultant. I worked for one small business for about six months. No written contract in place; I knew the people involved and had worked for them previously. Given the history and the small amounts of work involved ($500-$1000/month), I didn't put a written contract in place. However, I do have many emails in which the owner has authorized the work and agreed to pay the rate charged and the hours worked per task, etc. I also have invoices for each of the last several months, along with the corresponding checks paid to me by the business (which I think clearly show the arrangement).
The owner told me about a month ago that it would be the last month that I would be providing the services to them due to some changes in their operation. (I suspect some financial problems but have no way to confirm this). I was fine with that and there was no indication of a problem. I submitted my final invoice, nothing unusual, and expected my final payment.
Unfortunately, this schmuck figures that since he doesn't need me to do future work for him, he doesn't have to bother paying my final invoice. He will not respond to calls, emails, or letters and no check has arrived.
We're only talking about $1200 but there's a principle involved. It's called getting paid for work performed!
Any ideas on what kind of case I have in Small Claims Court (Magistrate's Court actually, in Georgia). Honestly, I just want to make this guy expend $1200 in his time and effort, whether I get the money back or not. We had a relationship of trust and good faith and he basically violated that over a measley $1200 -- and I suspect he's done it to others.
Thoughts or suggestions?
