Legal Question in Business Law in Illinois

I was a member of a trade association. I was billed quarterly for membership. When I ceased being a member, I simply stopped paying dues. I did not notify the association. I partook in no membership activities after I ceased payment. There is nothing in my membership agreement that stipulates how notice of cancelation is to be given.

The association takes the position that since I did not alert them I was still a member. and therefore I owe dues. They are billing me for an part of an additional quater., and they have sent my case to a collection service.

The association is in FLA and I am in IL

Do I legally owe this debt?


Asked on 11/19/09, 12:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Burton Padove Indiana and Illinois Lawyer, Burton A. Padove

You may want to look at the association's bylaws to see if this is covered there. If it is, you are out of luck. If it is not, the membership agreement was drafted by them. The general rule of law is that vagueness is construed against the drafter of a document. If there was no mention of cancellation notice you have an argument that you can make. However, why you would not just notify them in writing of a cancellation is beyond me. It is just common courtesy. You caused yourself a lot of grief that easily could have been avoided by an email, a fax or a 44 cent stamp.

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Answered on 11/24/09, 1:43 pm


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