If you have a dispute with a vendor or another party over a contract, the first step is to communicate. This does mean to get into loud arguments regarding what you think they should do. It means to sit down with the other party, and discuss options, issues and problems in a calm, logical format. If you do this well, you may not even need to read farther. You will have solved the problem through communication and come to an agreement that benefits both parties.

Another suggestion would be to ask a fellow professional or trusted business associate to give you advice. If you present the case, please make sure you present their side as well to allow the third party to make the most objective decision as possible. Or have them sit in on your dispute to give their opinion. If you trust them, you should take their advice as it will most likely be objective. What do they have to gain by this dispute? Probably nothing. Either way, it is suggested that you look at all the alternatives available to you before considering and taking actions that could result in a lawsuit.

If you cannot come to a mutual agreement, you may have to get the advice of a lawyer. A common reaction to any kind of lawsuit is to set yourself firm and refuse to yield at all. The problem with this is that you usually get so upset you will stop at nothing to see them beaten in court. This results in some rather high court costs and attorney expenses that easily outweigh the total amount of the dispute and exceed any judgment you may possibly receive.

I stress the possibly above because you may not receive the judgment given. A judgment is not an order to pay that amount. It is essentially a piece of paper which says you are entitled to a sum of money. This may afford you the opportunity to levy against the other party's proprty, but things stand in your way. Principals of joint ownership and other state laws which protect debtors and limit your ability to get any of the sum due to you. Bankruptcy also gives protection to debtors, which for the most part terminates your ability to seek any of the sums due to you.

In essence, litigation has had a limited presence in the business world due to the laws that protect the debtor. It also will probably cost more than you will ever get from the debtor. The best option is to simply sit down and discuss the options available to you with the other party. Communication can solve many problems.

Works Consulted

• Martial Arts Professional. National Association of Professional Martial Artists- NAPMA