Legal Question in Employment Law in Indiana

I was working at my church's secertary. I was paid $289 a month and was provided with a laptop to make the church bulletin, newsletter, and annual report on. I resigned from the job because of a disagreeement about the Council of our church firing our Pastor in what I considered to be unethical, as well as illegal methods.

I made arrangements with the Council President to turn in the church laptop within 2 weeks. She was angry because she wanted me to also give them use of the templates that I created myself, at my home in order to make my job easier, (bulletins, newsletters, and the big one-A 30 some page Annual Report). While I never held back any information that was needed, names and addresses of members, etc. I only said that I would share anything that I created as far as templates.

I recieved harrassing messages from her at this point, and asked her to not communicaite with me further, and informed her that everything would be returned as stated earlier.

Today I recieved a threatening letter from the Trustees of the church. Stating that because I refused to speak to her, they were basically delivering her messages. I would like to note that the date in which I specified has not passed or is not even close to passing at this time. Yet they have threatened me about returning the items.

My Question- Do I need a lawyer to draw up some kind of document, for them to sign stating that I have returned the computer and anything belonging to the church in order to protect myself from action on their part? Should the document be witnessed by a lawyer when it is signed? What do I do???


Asked on 12/07/10, 8:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Burton Padove Indiana and Illinois Lawyer, Burton A. Padove

I do not know why you are waiting two weeks to return their property. Ask for a signed receipt.

Also, if you were paid for the time when you deveoloed the templates, they are the church'es property absent any other agreement.

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Answered on 12/13/10, 4:45 am


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