My husband, the Legal Aid

Steve worked for someone from October 1st to mid-January. He signed a contract which said, among other things, that he would provide software code and Buddy would pay him for his time (and I use Buddy b/c this is mostly a family blog that my mother reads, and while she'd not be surprized by my language, it's still not ladylike to use such words in type). By mid January, Steve had seen 2 partial cheques, one of which bounced. Steve said he couldn't work that way and Buddy said he couldn't pay him any faster and they parted ways... leaving a $15K debt in the wake.

Steve recently took the man to "small claims court". He won the case with a "quick judgement", since Buddy didn't even bother to respond the supeona to offer a defense. Steve spent over two hours filling out forms to allow the "sheriff" - who knew we had a sheriff? - to go about getting the money from Buddy's accounts. *IF* he has money, they will take it from him and give it to us. We're not expecting to see any of it though, he is likely "hiding" behind his company, keeps his company funds low and his personal funds high, out of reach of corporate action.

It makes me so mad. Here we are struggling - I mean, our weekly menu consists of beans & weiners and spaghetti every week - and he's living high off the hog and telling Steve "you can't squeeze blood from a stone". Fucker. oops, slipped out. That money would go a long way to pay off our tax debt and put a knick in our adoption related expenses. It's not just padding for full pockets, it's necessary income for our family of soon-to-be six. I was nearly in tears in Walmart today, seeing presents I wanted to buy E for his birthday and settling for ones I hoped he'd like. He's such an easy to please kid, I know he'll be happy with anything but still...

So we wait to see what the sheriff finds out from the bank. It seems we are waiting a lot these days, for others - agency, CCAA, sheriff's office, Buddy - to acknowledge and approve the dreams we've struggled to nurse and maintain through obsticles and opposition. I can only hope Karma is watching, and our dedication and integrity will pay off in the end.

N