Breaking a contract

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep -- then you can pay court costs and their lawyer fees too!

Anonymous wrote:Don’t pay it and let them sue.

It's simply to risky to sue. You can make this a media story very easily. Additionally, they likely won't get awarded attorney's fees. If they want to spend 100k in legal fees to get 40k then go ahead. Make it clear to them that you will make it as costly as possible to obtain any sort of judgement.

This happens frequently and yes, they do get awarded attorneys fees, interest, and court costs.

Do you have a source? I've seen counterclaims on these lawsuit which end up getting dismissed by the plaintiff (the school)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree. This is a summary judgement kind of thing. If there is no dispute that the contract was signed then there is no dispute on facts. Very inexpensive for the school to sue and very likely that they would also recover attorney's fees, despite that being a relatively rarity.

No it's not. You can have strong counterclaim against the school given most lie to get parents to sign a contract

[Anonymous]

What lies are in the contract?

[Anonymous]

Man, you people are really low-class. Sign a contract and let them sue me. And then "countersue" for "lying"? Talk about hijacking a thread with a bunch of unrealistic solutions. You also realize this will impact your credit -- maybe your score is low enough already you don't care.

For the initial questioner who I am NOT including in the above, talk to the school early and let them know your concerns.

No it's not. You can have strong counterclaim against the school given most lie to get parents to sign a contract

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What lies are in the contract?

This. Curious what they lie about. If you agree to pay they have a case against you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What lies are in the contract?

This. Curious what they lie about. If you agree to pay they have a case against you.

It's called fraud in the inducement. Look it up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man, you people are really low-class. Sign a contract and let them sue me. And then "countersue" for "lying"? Talk about hijacking a thread with a bunch of unrealistic solutions. You also realize this will impact your credit -- maybe your score is low enough already you don't care.

For the initial questioner who I am NOT including in the above, talk to the school early and let them know your concerns.

No it's not. You can have strong counterclaim against the school given most lie to get parents to sign a contract

If you're sending your kids to private school and worried about your credit score then your priorities are screwed up. Unfortunately, you seem like the type to require financing for a house and car you can't afford. 😆

[Anonymous]

The countersuit would have to allege specific facts supporting fraud in the inducement, otherwise it would get dismissed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The countersuit would have to allege specific facts supporting fraud in the inducement, otherwise it would get dismissed.

Thank you for stating the obvious.

[Anonymous]

But you're the one signing a contract and then saying you won't pay it and asking them to sue you? Sorry, then that advice is only for people who buy their house in cash and don't use credit cards and want to pay their debts. These are the stupidest answers possible to the person who asked the original question: don't pay, let them sue you, countersue, claim fraud. So many ignorant and untrustworthy people; I hope you're not at my kid's school. These contracts are crystal clear when you sign them as to your responsibility. AND NONE OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE INITIAL QUESTIONER, only the person who has given these ridiculous answers. Reminds me of the people on the college boards who think they can wiggle out of binding ED.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If you're sending your kids to private school and worried about your credit score then your priorities are screwed up. Unfortunately, you seem like the type to require financing for a house and car you can't afford. 😆

[Anonymous]

If the school won’t let you out, see if it will convert your payment to a charitable donation and then you can take a tax write off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the school won’t let you out, see if it will convert your payment to a charitable donation and then you can take a tax write off.

I’ve heard this too. No idea if it’s true always, but worth asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone successful in getting a school to let them out of the contract? Our job situation went from reasonably stable to really iffy overnight. Likely going to lose the primary income at the end of the month. Our best options for quick employment are out of the area. Feels like we are in a no-man's-land where tuition insurance won't cover unless DD starts at the school in the fall, and even then it's unclear if this would be a covered reason. It's a small K-8 school and we are a full pay family.

We are in same boat. Signed contract late Spring. Hubby lost job and although I work, he is bread winner. We have to leave one in private (special needs) but need to try and cancel contract for our other child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone successful in getting a school to let them out of the contract? Our job situation went from reasonably stable to really iffy overnight. Likely going to lose the primary income at the end of the month. Our best options for quick employment are out of the area. Feels like we are in a no-man's-land where tuition insurance won't cover unless DD starts at the school in the fall, and even then it's unclear if this would be a covered reason. It's a small K-8 school and we are a full pay family.

It seems like to me, you have a valid reason for breaking the contract, and the school should be willing to work with you. I teach at a private, and I know that they have had similar situations come up, and have let families out of the contract without any penalty. Call the business office and have a discussion with them.