Former childcare provider owes me refund for days prepaid, but not worked.

[Anonymous]

Two months ago, the provider quit. The entire month had been prepaid and it was acknowledged that I was owed a refund. It is now going on month three and radio silence. Do I have to go to small claims court? If so, how much does it cost? Judge Judy looks very appealing.

I know I was stupid to prepay that much. Was trying to help out a fellow single mom.

[Anonymous]

Ugh that sucks. She Probably used the money at tej beginning of the month to pay bills. I'd assume she doesn't have it to pay you back.

[Anonymous]

Small claims court is not expensive and you likely would recover your costs if you win. BUT, whether you could ever collect is a separate issue.

[Anonymous]

How many days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Small claims court is not expensive and you likely would recover your costs if you win. BUT, whether you could ever collect is a separate issue.

This. Send her a note and ask if she can pay back in installments

[Anonymous]

Small claims court in DC is cheap. I had to file a claim against someone and the first step is to send them a letter notifying them that you're filing against them. After months of trying to get my money, just that letter got me a check.

[Anonymous]

How much money does she owe you? You won't be able to force her to pay you without going to court. Small claims court costs will vary by jurisdiction, but generally you'll have to pay both a filing fee and a sheriff's fee (or the equivalent) for service upon the defendant (in Fairfax County, the filing fee is $46 and the service fee is $12, so $58 to file). Then you have to hope they actually can serve her, or your case won't go anywhere (are you sure you have a current address for her?). Then, even if you get a judgment in your favor, there's no guarantee you'll see the money. If she doesn't pay the judgment voluntarily, you'll have to file again, and pay another filing fee, for the enforcement action, which still won't get you anything if she doesn't have a job from which you can garnish wages, or own a home (but even then, you won't see your money until she sells the house).

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I know that she is working a full-time nanny job currently so I suspect she has some money. I have emailed her, but she is no longer responding to emails so I'll try a registered letter warning I will sue.

Ironically, she used me as a reference for the nanny job!