15
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
Client wants me to steal secret plans from the CEO of his competing company.
He sent an email today detailing where I can find the plans, how to break into his offices, and a schedule for when the ...
- 17.5k
14
votes
Client owes me substantial money, I got another job full-time, client wants me to hand over keys to next developer without payment
Generate an invoice marked "past due". Send certified. That's all you can really do in your case, at this step, without getting an attorney involved. The $10,000 is probably more than any state's ...
- 5,323
9
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
Life's too short..
You have 2 choices....
Invoice for the work you've completed. Wait until that invoice is paid. Then tell him you're done.
You'll package everything and prepare to deliver things ...
- 17.5k
9
votes
Accepted
Employer Via Freelancing Platform Threatening To Take Legal Action Against Me
Sounds like you're using Upwork? If not, let me know and I'll adjust this.
Personally, I've been using Upwork for over a year and pretty much stopped using it because of low-quality clients.
If there ...
- 917
9
votes
Client owes me substantial money, I got another job full-time, client wants me to hand over keys to next developer without payment
Unless you receive payment, I don't believe you are obligated to do anything.
It's your fault to some degree for letting outstanding invoices "build up over time". You should never allow that to ...
- 17.5k
8
votes
Do you own the right to publish someone's work after you pay them?
Unless your contract specifically states that you own all rights or the right to resell/redistribute the work... then NO you do not have the right to resell or redistribute anything under any ...
- 17.5k
7
votes
Employer Via Freelancing Platform Threatening To Take Legal Action Against Me
Ignore it. If escrow was used for payments, they had to relinquish their hold on the escrow.... if they did so without approving of the work, it's not your problem.
Bullying you into more work, or a ...
- 17.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Legal document/vinculation for being paid with future profits
Step 1 - Run away.
Step 2 - Refer to step one.
I say this because this is how many freelancers get stuck doing work for free, or much less than they should be. Future profits mean nothing when you're ...
- 6,872
6
votes
Risks of paying freelancer / subcontractor in Iraq / Kurdistan?
First, kick the notion that people in a part of the world are all linked to terrorism, somehow. It's completely baseless, racist, and xenophobic.
You're getting legitimate business/services from a ...
- 1,227
6
votes
My freelancer stopped responding and we paid him more than he's completed, how to handle?
I'm assuming you are not looking to extend the business relationship, but to end it. In addition, I'll assume it's more important getting the website done than getting perhaps $500 back after a ...
- 3,822
6
votes
Accepted
Can I be held responsible for HIPAA violation?
I would suggest asking for a contract to be made, or you make one and ask it to be signed. The purpose of a contract is to protect both parties.
You can simply state (the contract should be more in ...
- 917
6
votes
Is Refund Consulting legal?
Refund consulting (e.g. telling people that you can help them to locate lost or unclaimed money or property, in return for a fee or a percentage of the money claimed) is, as far as I'm aware, ...
- 893
5
votes
If I transfer the work to my friend without notify the client, is it ok?
Is it moral and professional? No!
Do people do this (including large companies)? Yes.
I can't say I never done it without client's knowledge, but each time I get into trouble as I have to act as a ...
- 14.4k
5
votes
Handling a client that doesn't pay after services are delivered
Friend, you have screwed yourself on this one, unfortunately.
The best you're going to be able to do to mitigate this situation is hiring an attorney in Arizona to represent you. You will have to ...
- 5,323
5
votes
Accepted
An employer hasn't paid me for months already. Should I keep working with them?
It sounds like your employer is having financial problems, possibly the end client not paying them, but the fact that they hired another contractor for something else, indicates they have money, you ...
- 1,366
5
votes
Client threatening legal action constantly
It is good the customer has paid you. Unless contracted to provide services to them for the rest of your life, consider it ample opportunity to reconsider your relationship. I would avoid a customer ...
- 1,162
5
votes
Accepted
How do I prove my source of income as a freelancer?
Tax returns.
Neither Fiverr nor istockphoto are your employers so they aren't obligated to track your earnings or send you records. It's up to you to maintain income records.
Since these sites are ...
- 17.5k
5
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
If you really need the job I'd look for comparable software that would be legal to use.
Personally, I'd drop the project like a hot potatoe.
- 435
5
votes
Can client demand a refund for software that fails specifications?
Obviously, the following is not legal advice, but just some general advice from a seasoned freelancer / consultant:
It looks like your client is right in demanding a partial refund, given that you ...
- 301
5
votes
Who Owns the Source Code & IP - Developer or Employer?
In any creative venture, be it artwork, fiction writing, markup writing, coding, music, film.... the "work" is copyrighted and owned by the creator the moment it is created.
There are only 9 ...
- 17.5k
5
votes
Accepted
Can I anonymously use my public LLC?
If you want to create an air-gap between yourself and the company that you're consulting for (so that people who have access to the company records for your freelancing LLC and your own personal ...
- 893
4
votes
Do I risk anything if I shut down a product that hasn't been paid?
Do not post negative comments about your client on the website you created for them or your own business website. You could very easily scare off future clients who will now be afraid that if they ...
- 592
4
votes
What does an LLC's limited liability really protect you against (if you are sole owner and employee)?
I think it's valuable to add to the other answers that you must be able to prove that your LLC is acting as a business entity in order to have the protection specified.
Generally speaking you do this ...
- 141
4
votes
Is a 1099 required when one freelancer hires another?
IANAL. However according to the IRS you need to file a 1099-MISC if you made any of the following payments
File this form for each person to whom you have paid during the year:
at least $10 ...
- 424
4
votes
UK company hired me, threatened to file charges against me
It's a bluff. If he sues, he has to do it where you live or work. That's not happening over $100!
- 5,323
4
votes
UK company hired me, threatened to file charges against me
He is just trying to scare you. Demand the missing $100 he owes you, by registered mail.
- 1,174
4
votes
Typical client situation - Needs advice
No contract? Sounds to me like it's yours still.
Too short of an answer? I agree.
Lessons to be had:
Use a contract and Scope of Work. Everytime. Especially for project work (instead of hourly, I ...
- 6,872
4
votes
I am a US citizen living in the US, can I freelance for a UK company?
It is perfectly acceptable to work from the US for a UK company.
You will need to invoice the UK company from a US entity (either Inc or self-employed), paying the taxes at a state and federal level ...
- 1,030
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible