The person I worked for didn't pay me

[user19000 18]

Hi,

I have a problem:

I translated some document for an acquaintance, who makes a living as an interpreter and translator.

Recently she signed a contract with a company and passed the job to me, saying I would get 15 cents for each word.

I did the job and she got paid.

Now she said she was not going to pay me and challenged me to take action.

The money she owes me is around $700. I didn’t sign a contract with her but I have the correspondences between her and me about the deadlines, the price.

What can I do about this? If I sue her in small claims court and the judge rules for me but she still doesn't pay me then what?

Thank you.

Edited October 26, 2013 by user19000

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Yes you can sue her in small claims court. Once you have a judgement against someone it gives you the right to collect the money, This means you can file paperwork to have a lean against assets. This will affect her credit. You can also report her to your states labor board. ( which will probably cause her more troubles )

[user19000 18]

Oh thank you very much, NigeriaorBust!

I just did some research on small claims courts.

The biggest hurdle is I'll have to sue her in Alameda where she lives, not here in Los Angeles county where I live. The law is "to protect the defendant". That's ridiculous! What about the plaintiff? I feel like they made this law to encourage people to do the wrong things because they can get away.

Just imagine I'll have to take at least two trips to Alameda county, one to file the case and one for the hearing. Then I'll have to rent a hotel room for a couple of nights.

Seriously, someone might say $700 is not worth the hassle. But I just got kicked out of the marital home, with nothing but STDs and an injured knee. And more importantly, I can't persuade myself to let this go. This woman doesn't deserve my forgiveness, and she's not asking for my forgiveness. She's laughing at me.

I wish I was wrong about the venue, but looks like I am not: http://lacountydca.info/tsVenue.htm

[Darnell 8,478]

I waited some hours to reply, wanted to think about this some more, but this is what I'm a thinking (now)

Hey ! You need a vacation. Call up the Judge Judy show, or any other TV Judge Show, talk with a production assistant, and see if they will take your case !

If they WILL take your case, well, you and the person you want to sue, get :

1. free airfare

2. prepaid hotel rooms

3. free food

and if you are successful, the TV show will give you the award of 700 bucks, not need to chase after that other person for actual payment.

Give it some thinking, call the shows on Monday, see who thinks you two would be a great candidate to get on the air. (and then let us know if you took that route).

Edited October 26, 2013 by Darnell

[user19000 18]

Thank you Darnell.

That's a great idea. But it's not like I'm asking JUST ANYONE for $700. I'm asking to be paid by that woman for the work I did for her. I like judge Judy but I don't wish to be so famous so soon. It's not my ambition for my ex in-laws to see me on TV either.

[Darnell 8,478]

IIRC, there's about 12 different 'TV Judge' Programs.

IMO, call em all, see who bites. It won't be aired till next year, so where's the harm ?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Your spouse was doing contract work and the work was carried out in your home. Sue locally.

[Darnell 8,478]

Also, if you've not issued an invoice yet, to that 'acquaintance',

do so,

now.

[user19000 18]

Oh no. I'm afraid there's some misunderstanding here. Yes, that's an acquaintance, a woman. This has nothing to do with my "spouse", well, ex-spouse, a man, who lives in a different state.

I said I needed to get the $700 from that woman because I worked for it and especially now that I was kicked out of the house (by my ex-husband) with no money, nothing to live on.

I'm sorry for any confusion.

Your spouse was doing contract work and the work was carried out in your home. Sue locally.

Thank you!

The information really makes me feel better.

Edited October 26, 2013 by user19000

[user19000 18]

Also, if you've not issued an invoice yet, to that 'acquaintance',

do so,

now.

No, I haven't issued an invoice yet. She just said she would pay me and then after I'd submitted the last piece of finished work she said she was not going to. That was a real punch in my face. I'll take your advice on this. Thank you.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I like Darnell's idea of calling the judge shows, that will help offset any out of pocket expenses you may incur. Need to get that invoice done asap. Good Luck!

[luckytxn 2,264]

I've done this before. The amount is small enough for minor county judge court. File the paper yourself. Win judgement get a garnishment if no pay. If she get pay or put pay in bank or any money anywhere garnish it. I would serve the summons myself even but if you are a wimp just go and hire the constable to do it. 10 years ago it was 65 dollars to hire the constable. Trust me you garnish you will get your money.

Hi,

I have a problem:

I translated some document for an acquaintance, who makes a living as an interpreter and translator.

Recently she signed a contract with a company and passed the job to me, saying I would get 15 cents for each word.

I did the job and she got paid.

Now she said she was not going to pay me and challenged me to take action.

The money she owes me is around $700. I didn’t sign a contract with her but I have the correspondences between her and me about the deadlines, the price.

What can I do about this? If I sue her in small claims court and the judge rules for me but she still doesn't pay me then what?

Thank you.

Edited October 29, 2013 by luckytxn

[user19000 18]

I like Darnell's idea of calling the judge shows, that will help offset any out of pocket expenses you may incur. Need to get that invoice done asap. Good Luck!

Yes, that'd be great that way. But I'm just not ready to appear on TV yet, maybe I'll never be.

I already sent her the invoice. Not heard from her yet. This person is kind of nuts, I should've never gotten involved.

[Darnell 8,478]

invoice:

1. email as attachment.

2. regular postal mail

3. certified postal mail with signature

4. fax

Use all 4 methods of sending invoice. Why? Must to document it, for small claims court. If 'acquaintance' says 'I never got invoice', you have delivery proof on at least 1 delivery type.

[user19000 18]

I've done this before. The amount is small enough for minor county judge court. File the paper yourself. Win judgement get a garnishment if no pay. If she get pay or put pay in bank or any money anywhere garnish it. I would serve the summons myself even but if you are a wimp just go and hire the constable to do it. 10 years ago it was 65 dollars to hire the constable. Trust me you garnish you will get your money.

Thank you for sharing. Your story is encouraging. Now it's not about the money any more, it's about the satisfaction. If I let this go I'll feel like a two-time loser. She just played me and I don't deserve it. She knew my weak points. I live far away from her, about 8 hours. I don't drive yet. I just moved to CA and even in this country I'm new too.

Thing is when I talk to the people around here they all discourage me like "let it go", "will it be worth it?"... I know it's because they don't care, it's not their problem.

I'll see if I can sue her here where I live. But I still hope she'll come to her senses for one moment and pay me without me having to take her to court.