lildutchie5
New Member
My jurisdiction is: MO
I was a property manager in Missouri for an individual whose main residence is Colorado. I received fair wage for hard work. My employer owned 7+ Million in boats and homes in my state. He became disenchanted with this area due to problems encountered by contractors and so forth. He decided to sell both homes in this area and move his retreat to Florida. I was concerned about having a job when he made this decision. He was more than happy with my work and encouraged me to move along with him to the new resort destination as prop. mgr. there. Due to family members health, I declined the invitation to move so far away. Until then, I continued to arrange work and work myself on properties (homes, auto, boats, jet skis) as per work description. He told me at the time "If you stick with me until properties are sold in Mo., I will pay you one year salary as severance". He did not want to find another property manager as he had several bad experiences prior to my hire. I was taken aback by grandiose offer - he said that he would have his attorney draw something up in that regard. I am small town where your word is true and stupidly said "No, (his name), you are a man of your word and that won't be necessary". Throughout the next 18 months he had mentioned the agreement numerous times, the last time being Nov. 18th 2008 when he called me to let me know both homes had sold, "I remember our agreement" and here is what I need you to do. I packed, moved, discontinued various services and so forth to button up the loose ends in Missouri. Upon completion of both sales - my employer's attorney called to let me know that my job had terminated itself and I was thanked for my superior service. I asked about the "agreement" between the employer and myself - it was not mentioned to my employer's attorney and the employer denies ever making such a claim. No one was ever present when he spoke of our agreement (my word against his). I have not spoken to ex-employer since and have not harassed him. (one email, one phone message inquiring as to payment). I have since placed liens on both homes even though they have new owners. My former employer still has boats for sale (all of which I maintained and kept in show condition). They have been in Missouri waters for over 18 months but are registered in Colorado. I would like to place liens on both boats and notify the broker (in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) but am afraid that I could be counter sued. The claim is not false, I have record of events and various times that my employer reiterated our "agreement". I have many individuals who hold no interest in this claim and they are willing to sign affidavits stating that they knew of the agreement. I turned down three very generous job offers because of the promised "severance package". I am now unemployed when I could have already been established in employment had I accepted one of those offers.
What are my options? Obviously since I am asking advice on this website, I do not have a fortune to spend on attorney fees. My former employer keeps his attorney on retainer so I will be countered in any arena. My only hope would be to spoil the sale of a Million dollar boat and have some sort of agreement reached on severance.
I was a property manager in Missouri for an individual whose main residence is Colorado. I received fair wage for hard work. My employer owned 7+ Million in boats and homes in my state. He became disenchanted with this area due to problems encountered by contractors and so forth. He decided to sell both homes in this area and move his retreat to Florida. I was concerned about having a job when he made this decision. He was more than happy with my work and encouraged me to move along with him to the new resort destination as prop. mgr. there. Due to family members health, I declined the invitation to move so far away. Until then, I continued to arrange work and work myself on properties (homes, auto, boats, jet skis) as per work description. He told me at the time "If you stick with me until properties are sold in Mo., I will pay you one year salary as severance". He did not want to find another property manager as he had several bad experiences prior to my hire. I was taken aback by grandiose offer - he said that he would have his attorney draw something up in that regard. I am small town where your word is true and stupidly said "No, (his name), you are a man of your word and that won't be necessary". Throughout the next 18 months he had mentioned the agreement numerous times, the last time being Nov. 18th 2008 when he called me to let me know both homes had sold, "I remember our agreement" and here is what I need you to do. I packed, moved, discontinued various services and so forth to button up the loose ends in Missouri. Upon completion of both sales - my employer's attorney called to let me know that my job had terminated itself and I was thanked for my superior service. I asked about the "agreement" between the employer and myself - it was not mentioned to my employer's attorney and the employer denies ever making such a claim. No one was ever present when he spoke of our agreement (my word against his). I have not spoken to ex-employer since and have not harassed him. (one email, one phone message inquiring as to payment). I have since placed liens on both homes even though they have new owners. My former employer still has boats for sale (all of which I maintained and kept in show condition). They have been in Missouri waters for over 18 months but are registered in Colorado. I would like to place liens on both boats and notify the broker (in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) but am afraid that I could be counter sued. The claim is not false, I have record of events and various times that my employer reiterated our "agreement". I have many individuals who hold no interest in this claim and they are willing to sign affidavits stating that they knew of the agreement. I turned down three very generous job offers because of the promised "severance package". I am now unemployed when I could have already been established in employment had I accepted one of those offers.
What are my options? Obviously since I am asking advice on this website, I do not have a fortune to spend on attorney fees. My former employer keeps his attorney on retainer so I will be countered in any arena. My only hope would be to spoil the sale of a Million dollar boat and have some sort of agreement reached on severance.
