What legal steps can I take if my invoice is not paid?
July 3, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anna Fuchs
Dear Lawyer,
I am reaching out to you with an urgent question regarding a problem I am currently facing. My name is Maria Müller and I run a small business that offers services in the field of event planning. Some time ago, I organized an event for a client and sent them an invoice for the services provided. Unfortunately, this invoice has not been paid to this day.
I have tried contacting the client several times to request payment, but without success. I am very concerned about my financial situation, as I rely on this money to cover my ongoing costs. Additionally, I am wondering what legal steps I can take in such a situation to demand my money.
Could you please tell me specifically what options I have to collect the outstanding invoice? Are there legal actions I can take to force the client to pay? How should I best handle this situation to protect my interests?
I thank you in advance for your help and look forward to your assistance in resolving this issue.
Sincerely,
Maria Müller
Dear Mrs. Müller,
Thank you for your inquiry and your trust in my expertise. I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties with a non-paying customer. I am happy to assist you in finding a solution to this problem.
First of all, it is important to know that as a service provider, you have the right to demand the outstanding amount. If the customer does not pay despite repeated reminders, you have various legal options available to collect your money.
One of the first steps you can take is to send a reminder letter. In this letter, you should give the customer a final deadline by which they must settle the outstanding amount. Also, specify the consequences that will follow if the deadline is not met.
If the customer still does not pay after the reminder, you can hire a debt collection service. This service can act on your behalf to demand payment from the customer. However, keep in mind that these services usually come with costs that you can pass on to the customer.
If the debt collection process is unsuccessful, you still have the option to take the matter to court. You can request a payment order or file a lawsuit for the outstanding amount. In this case, I recommend seeking legal representation to best protect your interests.
It is important to document all steps taken in writing and provide evidence of the services rendered and the outstanding payment. This will help you present your claim credibly and increase your chances of success in court.
Overall, it is important to act quickly in such cases and not hesitate to take legal action. Your financial situation is at stake, and it is your right to be properly compensated for the work you have done.
I hope that my advice is helpful to you and wish you success in collecting your payment. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Anna Fuchs, Attorney at Law
