I began watching my neighbors 3 small children almost 1 year ago for 7 hours a day. The parents at first paid me weekly, then bi weekly, then for 2 months nothing at all. Stupidly I didnt have them sign any contracts and for5 months I didnt write down hours or totals. Tired of not getting paid, I totaled based off of what I remembered and wrote a spreadsheet based on it and gave it to them, totaling $1600. They came back with many days they said they weren't there I know many of those days were days they showed up late (without calling to let me know they were going to be) Showed up early, and some were days they never showed or called at all. But knowing that I couldn't prove those days were days they were there or not, I accepted to charge based off of the agreed total of $1025. I told them they MUST pay me bi weekly at the least. They started to foreclose on thier property so I told the I'd allow for them to get moved into thier new home then they could begin to pay off thier balance. That was in March. Ever since I gave them that notice, Ive been keeping hours and totals on reciepts and giving them copies of them weekly if not bi weekly. They have been paying bi weekly, but only enough to pay off and sometimes not enough to pay off the previous 2 weeks. During the summer I started to watch them 9 hours a day. They said they would begin to pay off thier balance at the end of August once they paid off thier deposit on thier rent to own home. It is now the end of Sept. The balance is still $1026. On Thursday they said they were going to go camping this last weekend and they would see me on Mon. They didnt show, they havent answered thier phones. People at school are saying they transferred schools. And now I am thinking I have to go to small claims court. At least I know thier names and address.
What do I do? Where do I start? I know legally I have to serve them one more notice of failure to pay before I proceed, but should i go ahead and get the legal ball rolling before they possibly try to skip town? How much will this cost me? Please help.
What do I do? Where do I start? I know legally I have to serve them one more notice of failure to pay before I proceed, but should i go ahead and get the legal ball rolling before they possibly try to skip town? How much will this cost me? Please help.
