You may have looked forward to starting a business all your life. For many, business ownership is a long-term goal while others just fall into it as life takes them in different directions. Once you are in such a position though, you may find that along with the joys of running your own show, there are many headaches too; in fact, the pros and cons often balance each other daily.
Setting your own schedule is a huge advantage—but that may be difficult to stick to when an employee calls in sick. And you may be able to pay yourself what you deem fit, but that usually comes after taking care of everybody else and handling all the bills. Employees require training, guidance, and management. Inventory and equipment must be maintained. And on top of all that, you must also be responsible for creating spectacular new innovations and business ideas, bringing in new clients, and managing business deals which can often be stressful and complex.
There are a variety of different agreements and deals that you will find yourself involved in over the years, many of which require contracts to be negotiated and signed. Some of these deals and contracts may be more complex than others, but it is always to your benefit to work with an experienced business attorney like Shane Coons when negotiating and getting ready to sign on that dotted line. You may find that you trust others so much it is often tempting to settle with an oral agreement and a handshake. With all the details in writing though, everyone involved understands what is expected, and a contract is enforceable in a court of law.
Unfortunately, sometimes the other party does not uphold their end of the agreement, whether a contract is in place or not. The following steps should help you in your journey to seeking a resolution:
- Feel out the situation to see how serious it really is – does the other party seem committed to walking away from their responsibilities, or can you discuss the issues at hand and reach a resolution together quickly? You may be able to handle an informal discussion together or may need legal help in negotiating.
- Examine what type of damages would apply in this case, and whether it is worth it to file a lawsuit against the other party. Although the stress involved in such an experience may be enough for you to want to sue and gain legal retribution, if you only lost a minimal amount of money overall, it may not be worth it to pursue the case.
- Make sure you are within the allotted timeframe for suing for breach of contract, if you do decide to file a lawsuit. In California, you usually have four years. After that, the statute of limitations may have run out regarding your legal rights over a breach of contract.
- Consult with an experienced business attorney regarding your options. If there is a dispute resolution clause written into the contract, it should designate whether litigation, arbitration, or mediation is the chosen method for solving the problem, as well as where such proceedings would take place and who would pay for any attorney’s fees.
There are varying degrees of breaches of contract, but with good legal advice you should be able to make the best choice in proceeding. Contact Attorney Shane Coons. Our law office represents clients involved in a wide range of businesses and legal issues, and we would be glad to review your case and help you explore your options. Call now at 949-333-0900 or email us at Shane.Coons@seclawoffices.com.