Break a Non-Compete after termination, for a different position in same trade?

[KC-Distress]

What is the name of your state? KANSAS

After being employeed for one year i was terminated from my position due to a corporate "Reduction in Force" with no notice. My track record was well received, but i guess i was expendable. When i was terminated they asked me to sign a "Non-Compete" contract in exchange they would offer me a 2 month severance package. being a single mother of 3 kids i signed the contract as i needed to money to survive on. 2 months after termination i was offered a position with a company who deals in a similar line of business as my previous employer. The position i was offered was different than what my previous job employed me for. I would be going from management to sales. Today I was called by the corporate head-quarters of my previous company who stated they were tipped off by the local branch office and they then read me the riot act about violating a "non-compete".

Can they deny me the right to persue my career in this field of work? I am very afraid about taking this job as i do not have the money to pay them off or fight this is court if i lose. This office has a track record of not persuing the non-compete's in the past, but for some reason has choosen me to single out. Should i persue this further with an attourney? Or just abandon this line of work entirely and attempt to start a new career in another field of work? Any help would be greatly received. Thanks in advance

KylieWhat is the name of your state?

 

[cbg]

Since we can't read the non-compete agreement from here, you'll need to show it to a local attorney to see if it is enforceable.

NOTE: As an attorney I sometimes work with often says, you need to assume that anything you sign is enforceable until an attorney or a judge says it's not.