Unpaid Bill

[HongKongphooey]

My husband is an Electrician and early in Jan 15 he was called out to an emergency on a Sunday morning, by a care company for one of their clients who lived in his own home, but had dementia. All the electric was off. My husband sorted out the problem, got the electric back on and we sent them an invoice for the job. We waited the usual 30 days and I sent a reminder. When I rang the company a month after I sent the reminder, they informed me their client had since died and we would have to wait until the estate was settled. So now its nearly 14 months since we did the job. I've asked the care company but they just say the estate is still being dealt with by solicitors. Surely as we were called out by them, they should pay us and claim it back from the Client's estate?
I feel as its under £100 we are owed its not worth taking to small claims court. Any advice grateful
Thanks

[bookbinder]

I'm no legal expert, but I would be heading for a solicitor's office now. I believe that the first half-hour of the consultation is - or used to be - free, so that might be enough time to point you in the right direction.

[hc4361]

The contract is with the care company who called you out.

It certainly is worth going to the Small Claims' Court after all this time.

I suggest you write again, pointing out that there is a valid contract between the two of you and give them 28 days to pay in full or you will start proceedings in the Court.

[Peter Pedant]

yes if the call out was by X
then it is reasonable to say that X pays [ and then they do or do not claim it back from whomever which is their affair ]

the only fly in the ointment is that the contract with X may stipulate that the lucky call out subject pays - so .... you will have to check the paper work.

erm I think that is about it

assing about with someone's estate like this is par for the course
solicitors will drag their feet as their fees go up
and in terms of the queue of creditors you are not preferential

claims of Oh it is not us it is them
and then Them say: o it is not us it is them
are common

and dont expect anyone to thank you for getting the old man warm in his last days

[Peter Pedant]

yeah hc has got it
write and say they are an aged receivable and you want moolah now !

[Canary42]

I agree with hc4361 - a formal letter sent recorded delivery threatening court action in 28 days.

[SlackAlice]

I'm off the same opinion as bookbinder.
Your contract was with the 'care company'. Give them a letter to pay within 14 days, then follow up.

[HongKongphooey]

Thanks everyone, will do as you suggest, and write threatening legal action