Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania

Written and signed payment agreement

I recently adopted my daughter... her bio father agreed to pay all fees associated with the adoption. The lawyer we hired accepted the arrangement, drew up, and signed a letter stating that the bio father would be responsible for ALL bills. However, half way through the process the firm starting billing us because the father was not sending any money. After the adoption, months later, the firm is still trying to collect money from us. In fact, the deadbeat father has went as far as having his attorney send a letter to ours, stating that we were harassing him and that he be left alone. Our attorney has since sent us a letter stating we pay the balance in full or will be taken to collections/court. Will the signed letter get us out of this mess?


Asked on 11/17/04, 4:35 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: Written and signed payment agreement

I would have to see the letter to be sure but it sounds like the bio-father is on the hook for the bill. I offer free consultations.

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Answered on 11/19/04, 6:49 am
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Written and signed payment agreement

That would depend upon what it says in the "letter." You had said that you hired the lawyer. Therefore, you had a contract with him. The "letter" to which you refer might say that the father and you agreed that he would pay the bills. This would not vitiate your agreement with the lawyer that you pay them. If the lawyer sues you, perhaps you would have to sue the father and let the court straighten it out. Regardless, it all depends on what it says in that "letter."

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Answered on 11/19/04, 12:22 pm


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