Ripped Off By Ex Client

[Magic]

I had a special needs boy in my care
his grandmother has him not his mother
to make a long story short I listened to her poor me story
and her poor me finacial story
her he getting no support here in this town
so I bent the rules a bit for her
let her change dates, times, and such with no notice
let her pay late ex
with the boys support through the system we noticed she didnt follow through on many things
and would make decions with out thinking of the out come , finacaly or his best intrests
I started to slowly relize I was being taken advantage and started gentaly to stand my ground
and one day charged her with a late fee of $10
she had allready paided for the month and used half the month and then in an email of course gave notice, stating personal reasons, no explaination and would send out a check for time used
I replied that she needed to give me a months notice as contract states, which mean she would owe me extra on top of what was paided but that I would concider letting the extra 2 weeks go
she bounced the check for the time paided ( 900 ) and used ( 2 weeks used , 2 weeks time requested )
and she has not sent any money for time he was even here
I did write again about two weeks ago that time to settle account
and nothing
so here it is 1 1/2 months after he was here last and nothing
legaly she owes me by my contract about 1,300 canadian
I worked about 550 for the 2 weeks he was here
so the Question is
do I have the right to email once again but not so nicely use of words, or do I let it go
I do not have a full house and am struggling
my accountant says not worth small claims court
my email would give me closure but is it realy worth it
I have a mortage and a daughter to feed and actual make at this time less than she does
input please

[NeedaVaca]

I would absolutely take her to small claims court. You can send one final letter to her-I would send certified! She has a contract with you so she will be held to that, SHE will pay the court fees. In the end she will spend a lot more $...Also, the fact that she wrote you a bad check! That can be a criminal offense : check fraud

[cheerfuldom]

agree with the previous poster

please also change your contracts immediately to require payment in advance. if a parent leaves, you may not get the notice, but at least you would be paid for time already worked.

i would absolutely pursue small claims court or a collection agency

[kitykids3]

First question comes to my mind is what exactly do you mean by 'not so nice words?' You could be more stern and tell her that you will take legal matters, but keep it professional. Then if no response, take her to court.

[Magic]

sigh
the problem is I dont realy have the money to take her to court
It starts at $100 to file the first peiece of paper

I have been professional in all my replies
and before I write again I had to put it out there
I am some one who realy thinks before she speaks ....frustrating some times ..

so
I think I will say something and threaten leagl action to see if that works
and YES I have rewrtten my contract again and I am very pleased with it
but
my contract is only as good as I am to standing beside it
I did bend the " rules " for her and well it cost me
sigh

some times being nice isnt worth the cost

thanks every one

[TheGoodLife]

I require 2 weeks payment up-front, and 1 month's notice. If notice is given I then use the deposit for the last 2 weeks. CYA, I say I'm sorry that happened to you, good luck getting it back!!!