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OT, but since this is such a common problem all over the world, I'm wondering: Are there any escrow services to ensure payment to contractors, and any arbitrati
by lovelearning 12y ago
OT, but since this is such a common problem all over the world, I'm wondering: Are there any escrow services to ensure payment to contractors, and any arbitration services to mediate such problems between the parties before they are forced to lawyer up?
- brudgers 12y agoYes in both cases, at least in the US. Any attorney can handle escrow. The American Arbitration Association offers mediation services. I've never used escrow in part because it is uncommon and in part because it would be a lot of ceremony compared with a retainer and anyway dealing with escrow is already lawyering up and I don't have much interest in taking clients where that's the honeymoon. On the other hand I have pursued mediation three times when someone wouldn't pay. The two times it was contractually required it was a waste of energy, in one case the deadbeat declared bankruptcy and in the other the deadbeat correctly guessed it wasn't worth dragging them to court and didn't mediate in good faith. The time mediation was successful it was part of the pretrial after I had filed in small claims court.
- josho 12y agoNot off topic at all. I wish Escrow was more common, but I just can't see going into a new contract asking for one up front. Until it's common practice asking for escrow sends all the wrong signals.