Legal Question in Business Law in Texas

Do I have the right to add a late fee to payments that are owed for services com

We have a small trucking company and have been hauling lumber for a company that is located in Texas. We are hauling from a farm in Arkansas to a mill in Arkansas. We bill Texas weekly for the loads that week as of today they owe for 3 weeks of service. Can I had a 10% late fee for any bill that is 30 days from billing date? Also a fuel adjustment charge was added earlier and they refused to pay at first then started sending about 1/4 of what I had billed on the fuel adjustment. The fuel adjustment fee was a lower amount than what Riceland Foods was paying at the time. No matter what I bill they just pay what ever they feel like. Like a Truck Rental Agreement (verbal) of $100.00 per day. They had the truck for 21 days, but 8 days were weekend, so I only billed for 13 day even though they had the truck for 21 days. Well, they decieded $50.00 per day would be enough and sent a check for $650.00 lesving a balance of 650.00 with no intention of paying. What can I do?


Asked on 5/23/05, 10:46 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Sharon Campbell Sharon K. Campbell

Re: Do I have the right to add a late fee to payments that are owed for services

You can certainly file suit against them for the fees owed. As a practical matter, though, before you do that, you should realize the risk of losing this particular customer's business. Is it worth it? Or is their "half" payments not worth fooling with?

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Answered on 5/23/05, 11:01 am
Peter Bradie Bradie, Bradie & Bradie

Re: Do I have the right to add a late fee to payments that are owed for services

You can add a late fee of 5.5% per annum, simple interest, to the bills. If you don't want their business anymore, you can sue them for what they owe you.

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Answered on 5/23/05, 12:10 pm


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