Should I take a parent to small claims?
Hello there,
Forgive me if there are similiar thread on here but I am new to the board & have not yet read every post.
I have been in the home day care business for 19 years & have never had this problem before but now have a parent that is not paying on time.She is a single parent to two lovely girls & putting herself through college.The father only supports when he feels like it (so she claims) but she has a supporting boyfriend as well as supporting parents.The girls often tell me how they have been to the mall to buy new clothes,toys,etc. Mother ,herself, wears designer label clothes, has I pod/I phone etc.I even go out of my way to collect them from home to bring to my place as mother does not drive.All extra gas money for me.
She is supposed to pay bi-weekly & I do have a written contract with her.However, she is not paying on time...every so often she gives me $150 ,or so, with promises that the rest will be payed in a few days.This has been going on for a few months now & she is hundreds of dollars in debt.
To be honest it is stressing me out & I am not sleeping properly,at night.I live pay check to pay check myself as well as paying for my daughter to attend university.I feel that if I give her notice I will never see my money at all.But,I don't want to be taken for a fool & let her get away with it.Fed up of her constant excuses.I feel for the girls as they are the trus victims in all of this.I think if truth be known she has probaly done this to other day care providers.
Do you think I should just cut my losses & give her notice or take to small claims? Any legal advice, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated.Look forward to your ideas & comments.Thank you all in advance.