Partner took money

[mickeysnuggs]

What is the name of your state? Maryland
I was in business with another person for 9 years. In 2005 money was not coming in and in August even through there was money owed, nothing was coming in. My partner admitted to myself and our accountant that she had been depositing the receiveables into another business that she owned soley. She had become intimate with the secretary and this person was aiding her in diverting money into her sole account.
When I consulted an attorney, I was told it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to persue and because it was a small business he did not recommend that I take action.
I offered to have her buy me out and I was told she did not have to buy me out as she had it all for free.
I have just received legal papers demanding all the business records that I have in my possession. I did most of the computer work from home and have some but not all the records. She had 75 percent of the records in the office and she did take these.
Do I have any recourse other than spending tens of thousands of dollars which I can't afford. I still think she should buy me out and then she can have all the records.
Any advice?

 

[divgradcurl]

What is the name of your state? Maryland
I was in business with another person for 9 years. In 2005 money was not coming in and in August even through there was money owed, nothing was coming in. My partner admitted to myself and our accountant that she had been depositing the receiveables into another business that she owned soley. She had become intimate with the secretary and this person was aiding her in diverting money into her sole account.
When I consulted an attorney, I was told it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to persue and because it was a small business he did not recommend that I take action.
I offered to have her buy me out and I was told she did not have to buy me out as she had it all for free.
I have just received legal papers demanding all the business records that I have in my possession. I did most of the computer work from home and have some but not all the records. She had 75 percent of the records in the office and she did take these.
Do I have any recourse other than spending tens of thousands of dollars which I can't afford. I still think she should buy me out and then she can have all the records.
Any advice?

If you are unwilling or unable to hire an attorney to go after your ex-partner, there are really three choices you can make:

1. Sue in small claims courts. Of course, the maximum you can win will be whatever your state's maximum is, probably around $5000 or so;

2. Talk to your local DA, see if they will bring fraud or embezzlement charges against your former partner;

3. Forget about it and move on.