However, let's not make a mountain out of a molehill. The lawyer may be good with the use of the sledgehammer of the laws but they will probably not be good with helping you navigate the "inter personal" ends specific to your situation.

Btw, I have worked contracts larger than 25K without a lawyer and using the client's "master contract". I always review carefully clauses that concern me the most: ownership of IP, payment schedule, breach of contract, termination of contract, damages.

For my own consulting business, we have had disagreement at times (IP, amount upward 100K) but all were sorted out just fine without lawyers involved.

And when I represented Fortune 10/100 company, I have resolved 6-7 digits issues without lawyers just fine. However, when you represent Fortune 10/100 companies, things tend to be easier :)

In your case, try to work "inter personally" to get your 25K or even see if those 25K can translate into "credit/equity" that may give you a "slice" of the liquidation, if any. Talk to a lawyer about this one.

In Netherland, this actually works. I've been working for my current client for two weeks now and the contract has only just been signed. We can do a lot in contracts, but I can't accidentally sign myself away into slavery. I can't be expected to work for no pay when I'm not the one who fucked up.

And in this climate, $25k outstanding balance is not that unusual; I invoice monthly, and the client usually has a month to pay. So with $10k invoices, by the time the next invoice goes out the door, it could be $20k. Though in a jurisdiction with less legal structure and protection, I can imagine monthly invoices would be way too risky. But even then, if your invoices, are bigger, you can still easily get into this situation.

But again, it strongly depends on where you live. What's totally reasonable in one place, could be insanity in the next.

having said that we will be taking major retainers and updating our contracts so they are bulletproof.