[sessely4]

I have paid a contractor $4000 but still owe $2200 I have fallen on hard times and have offered to pay $100 a month. He has begun calling me every day so I asked him to cease and desist. Now he is taking me to small claims court. Can he put a lien on my business even though I only lease the location and can he come in and remove the work that he has done. I am in Ohio.

[Clough]

Hi, sessely4!

Did you have a signed contract with him for the work that he performed? Also, do you have an attorney?

Thanks!

[Fr_Chuck]

First unless he agreed to accept 100 a month, yes he may sue you. He is not obligated to accept any payment plan. So unless he agrees to accept it, he may sue you. Now if you keep sending the 100 dollars, when you go to court, you show this to the judge, sometimes ( not near always) the judge may grant the judgement, but accept your payment plan and order him to accept it. Again don't expect it to happen, but it does work sometimes.

If you are a corporation and it hired him, he can only sue the assests of the corporation, if you are not, he sues you personally.

As to what he can get and take will differ in the US by state

[CommercialClean]

He can get a judgement against you and your business. However, in Ohio judgements are nearly useless. First thing I would do is go down to the court and ask them to put your $100 in escrow until this is sorted out. Continue to put money into the escrow on a regular basis.
In the end, no, usually he can not come into your shop and remove his work.
I would consult a lawyer however.