Oooh, we may get sued for this one. (LONG)

[Sonoma]

*Passes out popcorn while waiting for update*

Grabs a handfull of popcorn & pulls up a seat.

Gonna' get interesting.

[crashhelmet]

It sounds like he tried to be sly and reverse the payment later so that you wouldn't notice it. I've had people try it with eBay auctions.

CH

[nuthing12]

For the Love of god Seraph, Please keep us informed of how this turns out. I think if we get a conclusion to this episode of woe, we can seriously call this a true SC of Epic Proportions.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

...I hope I made some semblance of sense. XD

Some semblance? Hell that made perfect sense.

Cry Havoc! And let slip the sharks of Law!

Please keep us posted. Stories of people like this are good for those long nights at work.

[Mikkel]

*Passes out popcorn while waiting for update*

Thank you.

[LillFilly]

This guy sounds reallllly familiar to me.

Gods, I'm sorry you have to deal with him! I hope he's just blowing in his sails, or if not, that you guys crush him in court! Great that you have all the support and documentation!

[Magpie]

*brings out a plate of cookies for the wait*

*Offers Seraph cookies for having to deal with this idiot of a client*

I hope that you're able to hire someone to represent you, so that you don't have to end up in the "settle out of court even though they're completely in the wrong, because I can't afford a lawsuit" boat. (Without making any value calls, because I like this thread and don't want to fratch, can someone confirm or deny that in the States you are not obligated to pay the other person's legal costs if you lose a civil suit?)

[Seraph]

Will do my best to keep everyone updated...may not be around for a bit though. Got a call last night that my dad went into congestive heart failure. He's ok now, but they're admitting him to the hospital tonight for a bunch of tests to determine whats wrong and to see what can be done.

....I hope none of my clients get mad over delays in their projects this week...
You know they will. :P

[BookstoreEscapee]

You know, if you wanted to sue him, you might want to check out your local small claims courts. I had a small claims case one time, and it didn't require a lawyer (though you can choose to have one, it didn't really seem to make a difference that my opponent had one while I didn't), so the only fee was the small fee to file. I don't know that small claims courts take slander/libel cases, and the payout if you won would be limited to whatever their maximum is (mine is five thousand) plus your fee for filing the case, but it might be worth at least taking the time to research it on your county's website.

Small claims doesn't take libel/slander cases (unless that varies by state); generally it's money disputes up to about $5000 (it's $3000 in NJ); landlord/tenant issues, etc. Breach of contract might apply, though. (I'm suing my ex for about $7000; I had to bring the suit in the Special Civil part of the superior court, which goes to $15,000.)

can someone confirm or deny that in the States you are not obligated to pay the other person's legal costs if you lose a civil suit?)

I was going to say, Only if the judge orders it (which would probably be in response to a motion by the other party, if the judge feels it's justified). But the form I filed for suing my ex for the money he owes me adds the filing fee ($57) to the amount being requested. But then again that's the court fee, not a lawyer's fee (I don't have a lawyer).

Good luck. Court is fun! (Tomorrow I'm filing to oppose Ex's motion to vacate the default judgment I won last month. Woohoo! )

[Whiskey]

Will do my best to keep everyone updated...may not be around for a bit though. Got a call last night that my dad went into congestive heart failure. He's ok now, but they're admitting him to the hospital tonight for a bunch of tests to determine whats wrong and to see what can be done.

Fuck the clients, I hope your dad is okay

[crashhelmet]

Will do my best to keep everyone updated...may not be around for a bit though. Got a call last night that my dad went into congestive heart failure. He's ok now, but they're admitting him to the hospital tonight for a bunch of tests to determine whats wrong and to see what can be done.

....I hope none of my clients get mad over delays in their projects this week...
You know they will. :P

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a speedy and complete recovery.

CH

[zombiequeen]

One for you and one for your dad

Hope it all works out for you

[ArcticChicken]

can someone confirm or deny that in the States you are not obligated to pay the other person's legal costs if you lose a civil suit?

Not always, no. On the other hand, if the judge thinks you're bein' a dink he or she can make you pay damages, legal fees, court fees, and take everyone out to a nice dinner.

OK, so that last part may be a bit of exaggeration, but there are a lot of fees a judge can choose to slap on if you annoy them.

[superhotelworker]

Seraph: Hope your dad's alright, and your clients (The smart ones) Will understand RL comes first, family DEFINITELY over-rides any job. And as for this numbskull, You handled it much better than I ever would have. LOL

*gives cookies*

[cinema guy]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your dad.