Richard Alderman's archive

This contractor can’t put a lien on your property

Q. A contractor came to see me and gave me a verbal quote for work I wanted done. His total price was $2,000. I received the invoice in the mail and promptly paid it. I then received another invoice for $3,200. He said it was for extra work he had to do. I told him I would only pay the amount he quoted me. Now he has sent me a letter stating he is going to put a lien on my house if I do not pay the additional $3,200. Help! I don’t know what my legal options are.

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Texas law may get you three times damages

Q. I bought a used car from a small used car dealer. I asked whether the car had ever been in a wreck and was expressly told, “I have personal knowledge of this car since it was new and it has never had an accident.” This statement closed the deal and I paid cash for the car. When I brought the car in to the dealership for its 15,000-mile check up, I was told it had some serious frame damage from an earlier accident. In fact, the same dealership had repaired the car. What are my rights?

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Don’t co-sign unless you’re prepared to pay

Q. In October my boyfriend purchased a car and I co-signed. We broke up, and he moved out of state and took the car. He has been sending me payments, and so far everything is fine. I was wondering, from a legal standpoint is there anyway I can take him to court to get my name off the note?

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