Through many months of rebuttals, my side of the story hasn’t changed but her side has. Now the company wants to know if there is anything I want to settle this out of court, such as my job back or a money settlement. I’m not sure what to do. I have no money for a lawyer to help me.

A: It’s not possible to give a useful answer with the limited amount of information that you have given. If they are offering to settle, then perhaps you can ask them for their offer first–then see if it’s worth the peace of mind to take it and move on with your life. Keep in mind that their first offer is probably going to be less favorable to you than their best offer–in other words, if you negotiate, you’ll probably do better. Good luck!

* This answer does not constitute legal advice. I am admitted in the State of Arizona only. This advice is based on general principles of law that may or may not relate to your specific situation. Facts and laws change and these possible changes will affect the advice provided here. You should not rely on this advice alone, and nothing in these communications creates an attorney-client relationship.

Brad Denton, Arizona Franchise Lawyer.
Re-posted from AVVO Legal Questions & Answers.

2007 I bought a franchise Insurance agency with no books, I brought my own clients to this business. On year 2008 September they stopped paying my commision, rent, utilities as the contract was specified… they filed chapter 7 bankruptcy ..there is a bank in New York that has been sending me letters. I own this franchise to them and hire a lawyer to sue me, what can I do to defend myself. I need help please..this lawyer already sent me a subpoena and sent me to jail for three days.

A: One area to look at is whether the franchisor properly disclosed everything that is required in a Franchisor Disclosure Document, which is required by federal law. Determining whether the franchisor did what is required is a complicated legal issue. You may have regulatory and other rights.

If you are being threatened with legal action of some sort, it is important that you retain a lawyer as quickly as possible. You do not want deadlines to go by without taking action to protect yourself–otherwise a court may find against you on things that you haven’t even considered.

* This answer does not constitute legal advice. I am admitted in the State of Arizona only. This advice is based on general principles of law that may or may not relate to your specific situation. Facts and laws change and these possible changes will affect the advice provided here. You should not rely on this advice alone, and nothing in these communications creates an attorney-client relationship.

Brad Denton, Arizona Franchise Lawyer.
Re-posted from AVVO Legal Questions & Answers.