I hired an independent sole proprietor to build a fence. He was given a significant advance to buy all supplies. He was under performing our written agreement, and died well before job was finished. The funds advanced to him are gone. We are having the work completed by another contractor.
The deceased contractor, brought 4 rolls of wire and left on my property 2 weeks ago- when I questioned him about the remaining fencing materials, he said he had 2 more rolls of the wire (value @ $200 per roll) at his residence and would bring them his next trip. He told me this in front of a witness.
Upon learning of his death, we attempted to make contact with any of his immediate family (he was a divorced man), to inquire of other materials he was to have already purchased, to help us mitigate our loss.
I made several attempts to contact and left word thru a friend to have them contact me, to provide me with the other materials hopefully purchased and yet to be brought to my property. After 1 week and no contact, I went to deceaseds rented house and took the 2 rolls of wire.
His brother called demanding that I pay $1000 to the intestate deceaseds daughter 'fund' or he would have me arrested for taking the wire.
This brother owns neither the house of the deceased (not a landlord of deceased), nor the wire .
I am tempted to go to the Sheriffs office and make a report of the incident, and take copies of our contract and agreements, cancelled check copies, etc and question an officer about an EXTORTION attempt on the brother!
Responses appreciated
The deceased contractor, brought 4 rolls of wire and left on my property 2 weeks ago- when I questioned him about the remaining fencing materials, he said he had 2 more rolls of the wire (value @ $200 per roll) at his residence and would bring them his next trip. He told me this in front of a witness.
Upon learning of his death, we attempted to make contact with any of his immediate family (he was a divorced man), to inquire of other materials he was to have already purchased, to help us mitigate our loss.
I made several attempts to contact and left word thru a friend to have them contact me, to provide me with the other materials hopefully purchased and yet to be brought to my property. After 1 week and no contact, I went to deceaseds rented house and took the 2 rolls of wire.
His brother called demanding that I pay $1000 to the intestate deceaseds daughter 'fund' or he would have me arrested for taking the wire.
This brother owns neither the house of the deceased (not a landlord of deceased), nor the wire .
I am tempted to go to the Sheriffs office and make a report of the incident, and take copies of our contract and agreements, cancelled check copies, etc and question an officer about an EXTORTION attempt on the brother!
Responses appreciated
