Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

Small business received bad check for services

I do subcontracting work for another audio / video business in the area. The business has owed me past due amounts for 4 months. Recently they issued me check which bounced through my bank. I took it back directly to their bank to see if there was sufficient funds and there was not.

A situation has come where they need me to use their equipment to do yet another job for them and they will be giving me the equipment beforehand to do the job. Do I have a legal right to hold the equipment until such a time as I am paid in full for my services, both past and present? My usual standard is that if I receive a bad check from anyone, from then on they are on a COD basis, so can I hold the equipment until I am paid completely for all of my work?

Thank you in advance.


Asked on 3/19/08, 8:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Steele Steele Law Firm

Re: Small business received bad check for services

No. You have to sue them for the money they owe. To keep the tools is a crime called conversion.

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Answered on 3/19/08, 9:46 am


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