Ask HN: Client refused payment, told us to come back with lawyers

Re:Ask HN: Client refused payment, told us to come back with... by Patrick_Devine on Wednesday December 04, 2013 @04:32PM (#6850376)

I think you meant "Do you have a paper contract?". In the US a verbal contract is perfectly legal, although in court you'll get into more "he said/she said" type situations, so it's always best to get things in writing. Having an attorney is always great advice.

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Re:Ask HN: Client refused payment, told us to come back with... by SHOwnsYou on Wednesday December 04, 2013 @05:35PM (#6850922)

In the United States, a verbal contract is valid up to a contract value of $500.

If someone tells you they'll give you a $10,000 to do or say something ridiculous (eat a week old pizza, drink milk through your nose, etc), you can't sue them when they don't deliver; They aren't on the hook for $10,000.

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Re:Ask HN: Client refused payment, told us to come back with... by dragonwriter on Wednesday December 04, 2013 @09:23PM (#6852272)

> In the United States, a verbal contract is valid up to a contract value of $500.

This depends on both what the payment is for, and which US jurisdiction's law binds. There are circumstances in California, e.g., for which there is a $5,000 limit -- and circumstances for which there is a $100,000 limit.

Which is one reason why you should go to a lawyer.

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Re:Ask HN: Client refused payment, told us to come back with... by amgreg on Thursday December 05, 2013 @11:13PM (#6859358)

The existence or not of a contract does not entirely determine whether a promise (e.g. to pay you $12,000) is legally enforceable. There may be other legal theories affording recovery. Therefore it is not entirely accurate to say that if you have an invalid contract with someone, "you can't sue [him] and [he] won't deliver." In many if not most cases you can sue and you may be able to recover.

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