Legal stuff... any lawyers here?

[shmokes]

That's pretty much exactly right.  The law is set up to protect minors from being exploited, because they are presumably dumber and easy to manipulate by adults.  If both parties could void the contract it would defeat the underlying reason for the law (to protect minors).  That's how I understand it from what I remember of my business law class in highschool like 10 years ago.  So, while it gives minors the possible ability to screw adults, it is assumed that adults are much better equipped already to avoid being manipulated by an unethical minor and don't need special protection.  I would tend to agree.

edit: I might add that minors tend to be rather innocent, while adults, in general, are evil, ungrateful ---uvulas---.

[cholin]

Wow, the things you learn on a forum....

So, if I invoice him and he just says "no" what would happen?

Im also tellin him parts of this so he knows that what he's said is bullsh*t and that I now know that... so it looks like I might at least get a percentage of it.

[Havok]

Wow, the things you learn on a forum....

So, if I invoice him and he just says "no" what would happen?

Im also tellin him parts of this so he knows that what he's said is bullsh*t and that I now know that... so it looks like I might at least get a percentage of it.

I believe in the US you can report that against his credit as non-paying. (Not sure of the procedure, or if you are able, since you most likely don't have a US d.b.a.) If you can, at the very least you can sting him a little for having you do some work and then re-negging on the deal...

[cholin]

Oh, that would do just fine!  Imagine you just turned 18 and youre trying to apply for a credit card, the only credit you really have recently is that you didnt pay someone!

HA   I can just imagine it.  Anybody confirm this while im lookin on google?

[cholin]

Also, if I were to sue, I can sue him for court charges too right?  Ive seen that on TV all the time, so its gotta be true! 

[shmokes]

Well, you can sue him for court charges, but you still risk losing.  And as mentioned, we are kind of doubtful that you have a business license in the U.S. which could pose problems (d.b.a. stands for doing business as, IIRC, and it's basically the simplest way to set up a sole proprietor business).  At any rate, if you don't have a business license it might complicate reporting to someone's credit that they didn't pay you.  Or maybe not.  I really don't have the first idea and am just talking out ---my bottom---.

Either way, it might make for an official sounding threat that could get some cooporation out of him if he's too lazy to do some research and call your bluff.

[cholin]

Hes got lawyers, I know that, but I also know he wont spend the money to contact them.  Im trying to pull this off, and I dont have a US business registerred.  Im only partially legal in Ontario since I personally ocntacted some of the people working at the ontario business board.  Im holidng out till next summer because they have a "youth program" that offers grants to people who cna keep a new business running throughout the summer, which should be no problem.  So as long as its not legal right now, I can just say im running as a person who sells stuff for fun, but next summer they will do all the hard stuff and Ill end up with a legal business and up to 3 grand CAD to spend on what I please...

[DrewKaree]

hot dam.....assuming a company would offer you a contract at a young age ( which they won't , speaking hypothetically ) You could get a cell phone contract at age 15 and just void it and not be penalized ?

Tim

Which is why all these kids have to have their PARENTS sign up for a phone so they can annoy the crap outta you in movie theaters.

In the state of NC, you can't sue for court charges.  I'm not certain what the law is in WI, since I never have had reason to take someone to court here, but I'm assuming the law will vary from state to state.  You CAN sue for emotional distress or whatever the "OMG I'LL NEVR BE TEH SAYM AGAIN!" is called.  That's the little "workaround", and I'm not sure it'd apply in this instance.

[cholin]

LOL gotta love the good old "IT RUINED MY LIFE" thing  

[Patent Doc]

Cholin

due to the price of your claim you are likely stuck in small claims court depends on how the court system is set up in your area.  If you do plan on filing a suit, go to a local law school.  Often law schools have pro bono (free) legal sessions to give their students experience.  The help will be pretty good and it will almost have to be supervised by a bar certified attorney (not legal to practice law otherwise).  They can help you file the suit and navigate the system (this isn't trivial to do).  Alternatively, look for a lawyer willing to take you on pro bono.  Then file the suit.  If you have all your ducks in a row, he'll settle without trial.  As someone said covering court costs depends on the jurisdiction so look for that.  Even if you lose, you still kindof win because his legal fees will cost him more than it would have cost just to pay you and end it.  You save costs by using free legal work.

Anyway, that's my advice.

Shmokes - nice retention on a legal class from high school.  Must have been one hell of a class.  Keep it up you'll make a great attorney.  I am right that law school is the goal once you finish school ...correct?

Patent Doc