Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Illinois
small claims; debt collection
A suit has been filed against me d/b/a ''family name'' rentals. First, I did not order the work done by the creditor, my nephew did. 2nd, the work was not completed (wrong septic tank pumped); 1 1/2 months later I called the creditor back as the tank backed up. They did not return my call; I hired another company who pumped tank and told me had not been recently pumped.
Last year I had notified the creditor who the owner of the rental was, and they were not to do any work without authorization from me or the owners. The owner is a corp that has not been renewed after the death of my brother who was president; the other owners being my father who is 85 years old and disabled and a non family member who has never been involved as he left. My capacity (as I told this creditor back last year) is that I am Power of Attorney for my father. Yet I am being sued personally and d/b/a a nonexistant business.
I went to the hearing and was not allowed to speak at all except to say that I would not allow a judgment against me. It was set for a trial. What can I do to show that I am not the owner; I did not order the service; and the service was not done in any event.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: small claims; debt collection
When a corporation is dissolved, then a creditor is going to go after the individuals that would have been considered the shareholders of the corporation. I would recommend consulting an attorney about this, because I don't think this is a straightforward case where you definitely will avoid a judgment.
There are a lot of facts that have to be looked at, consulting with a local attorney who can look at all the facts would get you the best answer to your question.