Am I liable to return advanced money to a previous employer?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Am I liable to return advanced money to a previous employer?

My fiance was contracted to work (commission only) for a cabinetry company, who agreed to advance her $3000/mo against future commissions. needless to say she did not enjoy the job, or her employer very much. After 3.5 months, she decided to leave and find another job, and she was successful. Now the previous employer is saying he will sue her if she does not return the advanced money. I reviewed her contract and found no language that explicitly states that advanced money needed to be returned upon termination of the contract. Is she liable for returning the money?

Asked on June 11, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 14 years ago | Contributor

Your fiance should take the contract to a lawyer to read in its entirety.  The advance was against "future commissions."  Did she earn any commissions?  There are too many questions that need to be asked and answered and the agreement needs to be read as well.  Although you found no explicit language there may be implied language or conditions that need to have been met for her to keep the money (like actually earning the commission!)  Don't wait until her employer actually sues her, which he most likely will.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption