I own a small, corner convenience-store. At first, I had my 22-yo nephew (I was his legal guardian, so he was like a son) work the register & I'd pay him a weekly salary. After about 1 yr, to let him get on his feet, I let him run the whole thing. He would take in all the profit, pay all the bills and agreed to pay me $1500 monthly in rent. The store was making $800-$1200 in daily sales. After the 1st two months, he stopped paying me rent. Then he stopped paying the bills (now total almost $10,000. The bills are all still in my name so legally I am responsible. I suspect he is saving the money to buy liquor/cigs/drugs, etc. He has the only keys to the store. I want the keys back, but he refused. Should I call the police to get my keys back? Should I take my nephew to court to recoup the money? I have nothing in writing as this was a family matter.
2006-07-03 16:49:37 · 12 answers · asked by Kathy S 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
~Duh.
That thing that is supposed to be growing between your asshole and your head is called a backbone. Use it. The kid is a thief and you are an enabler for letting him get away with it for so long. Don't Whine now because you waited too long to put a stop to it. If he won't leave voluntarily, we have a group in our city who will evict him, for a fee. They are a national conglomerate. I'm sure there is a chapter near you. Call them.
2006-07-03 16:56:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deduct what is due from his paycheck. May not be able to do it all in one check, but work out a schedule so that he understands his responsibility. If he can't make ends meet with that arrangement, then he'll need to learn a lesson about responsibility and respect .. or he'll need to find another way to make a living.
You can get the locks changed .. probably less effort and heartache than calling the police. If he owns anything (car, etc) you can probably place a lien on it so that it can't be sold without paying some of his bills.
Can you afford to let the convenience store close for a few days because utilities are turned off ... this would be a real wake-up call.
2006-07-03 16:57:59 · answer #2 · answered by kibbits2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Family matters are especially prone to abuse because it's all done outside of the legal arena. (But depending on your state law, you may fall under the facts and circumstances test.)
You have ask yourself, who is the legal owner of the store. If it's you, you can report it to the police for the key. This also means you're responsible for the bills.
You can also report the matter to the IRS because he should have paid tax on his earnings. This could get you in trouble for lack of reporting. If it's only been a few month, you should be safe from reporting to them.
In the future, it's very important to have a very strong document drawn especially when dealing with the family member or friends.
2006-07-03 17:12:19 · answer #3 · answered by Nikki W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am deeply sorry for your situation.
I suggest that you definitely need to call the cops at least to get a police report, because it looks like he stole it from you, and then sue your son. Since he's refusing, what else are you to do? Just let things completely drag down further and further? So, put a stop to it and handle the situation from there. Ask the police for advice once they take your report. I hope everything goes well for you.
Next time when doing business with anyone, whether sister, mother, son, boyfriend of 5 years, whoever, ALWAYS GET IT IN WRITING. --------------------------- Take Care
(I watch too many court show to know.)
2006-07-03 17:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by Zee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you still own the business, and the bills are in your name, you are liable for the bills. Going to court probably won't help you to recoup the money. Either go thru escrow and transfer the company over to him legally, or take the business back and run it yourself.
2006-07-10 09:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only proof that you might have is if you deposited the rent money in to your bank account when he was paying you. You really should talk to a lawyer. And I would call the utility companies and have them shut off.
Like a son or not he is using you! and you need to stan up for your self!!
Call a lawyer now!
2006-07-03 16:57:43 · answer #6 · answered by suequek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call a locksmith first..get the locks changed today! take your business back and sue for back rent and damages..if you want to put him in jail..call the police. It sounds like he is a druggie, so I have no idea WHY you would have trusted him. 22 is too young to do anything...22's have a hard time driving without an accident!!!
2006-07-03 17:00:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he remains in charge regardless. it is not proper if he has info he did no longer stay there in the process that factor, or if he has witnesses affirming he did no longer stay there at that factor. If his call is on the appliance invoice that's his accountability to pay the appliance invoice. If he did no longer desire to that accountability he ought to have taken his call off the account. A courtroom could discover him responsible for the quantity of the invoice.
2016-11-01 04:20:45 · answer #8 · answered by zubrzycki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a locksmith, change the locks. You can take him to court but since nothing is in writing and all the bills are in your name it'll be hard to prove.
2006-07-03 16:54:13 · answer #9 · answered by steveed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO you still technically own the store? Take him to court. He has literally stolen from you.
2006-07-03 16:53:47 · answer #10 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋