My mother ripped off by contractor

[Jessica25]

Hello,

I recently found out my mother had paid $5,000 upfront to a contractor to do various jobs around her house. It appears in the course of 4 days he painted a room, and sanded 3 stairs, and then he came back to tell her all the money she paid was "taken by the state for back child support".

My mother is terrible with money, there was no contract, and I beileve simply cash was handed over.

Nearly no work was done, and she was ripped off by someone who either kept the money and made up a story or did in fact have the money taken by the state.

The contractor simply refuses to return any calls now, and I assume my only recourse is small claims court. But without a contract, or really any proof of what he was supposed to do, I don't really see how I could prove my case?

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jessica

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Consider having your mother contact a lawyer to write one of those "howdy; this is the big legal eagle guy representing mom who is demanding a return of her funds" letter.

Even is this is all that this attorney does for her, it often "opens up" the purse strings of those who believe they can get away by hiding out from the customer.

Gail

 

[ndragon]

"howdy; this is the big legal eagle guy representing mom who is demanding a return of her funds" letter.
Gail

HAHA! That is awesome. Very poetic.
Isn't a verbal contract admissible in court as long as it can be supported by witnesses?

-Nick

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

Yes; if she wishes to file against this contractor.

However, often a letter from an attorney can work wonders on getting said deadbeats to either pay up or come back and finish the work they agreed upon without having to go court over this.

The fact that someone (the state, a collection agency, the guys grandma) took the money from this guy who owed it for 1. back child support, 2. outstanding bills, 3. paying back grandma does not excuse him from fulfilling his verbal contract.

Gail