homeBee.png

Get it in writing

If you've got a debtor who just doesn't seem to get around to paying that outstanding account, Michael Todd has some advice for you.
Pinocchio
PrintPrintEmailEmail

If you don't really believe that one of your slow paying debtors will keep to the payment arrangement you both agree to, get that arrangement in writing. Once you do, if he defaults on that arrangement and refuses to pay any more, you can litigate against that slow paying debtor and it seems you cannot fail to win your case.

As long as you have that arrangement in writing.

That's because you can take him to court on the new contract, the payment arrangement. By signing that arrangement, the debtor is signing a new 'contract' with you, so, you tackle him on the broken arrangement. He can't argue about fees raised for your charges, because you're not taking him on about them, you're taking him on about the broken payment arrangement!

Just three weeks ago, this happened ...

The Debtor - Mr Jones
The Creditor - An Accountant, Matt
The Debt - $20,000 remaining

Creditor: "But you agreed to pay $5,000 a month Mr Jones."
Mr Jones: "Look, I'm just not happy with the work that Matt did. He charged far too much for what was done. I want a full breakdown of his charges before I'll pay anymore."

Long story short - we took him to court (on the broken written arrangement).
We won.

And here's food for thought:
Q: What if the debtor refuses to sign a written agreement?
A: What does that tell you about his genuine intent (or lack thereof) to pay?

1 Comment

Comments

Yazdi Khambatta's picture

good advice-realistic

good advice-realistic

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
1 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.

About the author

Michael Todd's picture

Michael Todd is the Senior Consultant to OPS Global. This business helps and shows companies in Australia, New Zealand and now internationally how to get paid more quickly by their account customers - without any client upset.