Posted by Steven on 4/28/06

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Dear All:

I am working at a law firm, but occasionally do some
moonlighting (minor legal work for friends, family). This
is ok with my firm.

I try not to work with family, but last year my wife's
cousin (a young kid) asked me to write a consulting
agreement that he would use for someone he was working
with, sort of a consultant to procure business for his
webdesign company. I usually charge around $220/hr
(sometimes more, sometimes less), but promised him $150/hr,
and we signed a contract to that effect. I drafted a very
professional agreement (6 pages) for him, but he and the
other party didn't like it (too long, too complicated), and
asked me to modify it. I did so, and went back and forth a
bunch of times to accomodate them. I was asked to delete
various sections (non compete clauses etc), and I
reluctantly did so, but advised him of various issues with
regards to working with consultants.
In all, I spent over 10 hours on this matter. I finally
billed him (months after providing the service, because I
wanted to give the kid a chance to make money), and from a
total of $2400, I billed him $1300, which I thought was a
bargain for 10 hours of work.
Last month he sent me a nasty email stating that he does
not want to pay because he didnt use the complicated
contract, and that he didnt get what he asked for, because
he wanted a 2 page contract. I explained to him that in
order to protect his interest I had to make it longer and
cover all the bases, but he didnt agree, stating that he
has a right to have crap if he asks for crap.

I'm thinking I'll never get my time's worth, which is fine,
after all it was a lesson for me not work with family
(deadbeats!). But I'd like to close this, and hold my head
high, so I wanted to solicit someone's views: do I ask for
all the money? do I make him understand I'll sue him if he
doesnt pay me? What else would you do?

Re: deadbeat family member, 5/01/06, by Carol.

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