I'm dealing with a situation and need some guidance.
contract has unconscionable terms. I've been dealing with this for about 7 months now and the situation isn't improving.
The contract was signed 23 months ago. I have a copy of the original agreement. The total amount in dispute is approximately $39,000.
Should I hire a lawyer for this or try to handle it myself?
I work in this industry and unfortunately this is very common. The good news is that when people actually push back with legal representation supposedly, companies usually settle haha.
For freelancers: always have a clause specifying who owns the work product. Without it, the default rule varies by state. In most states, the client owns work-for-hire, but that's not universal for independent contractors.
The choice-of-law clause matters more than people think. If the contract says "governed by Texas law" but you're in New York, you might have to litigate in Texas or under Texas rules. Negotiate this before signing.
Document all your damages. You'll need specifics for any claim.
The statute of limitations varies by state and contract type. Check yours.