How can I sue someone living outside the U.S. that bought a business from me in Florida?
I have a Ballon Short Term Promissory Note valued @ 42K and a 160K Note/monthly payments of 5k plus with a person living in France that bought my business in Florida, U.S. Currently, the buyer is 30 days past due, as of June 1, 2008 and refuse to acknowledge payment(s) or pay balance owed. The buyer has appointed her brother as power of attorney who is currently running the business, is listed as corp. pres. and living in Florida. The brother, also the broker, knowingly and willfully breached the contract agreement, thereby, causing default of payment and forcing me to seek legal action. It very difficult for me to find an attorney willing to sue a person overseas (France) and; as a single mother of three children, my funds are limited and home is in foreclosure due to the loss of income provide by the buyer. I have a Security Agreement on the assets in the business, however, I released all my corp. shares to the buyer, and in good-faith I would be paid. There is no evidence, at this time, which the buyer knows what her brother is doing; however, the brother is doing everything he can to discredit me (going as far as accusing me of stealing from him (?), untrue). My Security Agreement and Default Agreement states that if the buyer goes in default all assets can be seized or sold to satisfy the loan (money owed to me). How can I sue the buyer or the brother acting as power of attorney without appearing in France? How can I sue the buyer in the U.S and demand for her to come to the Florida to settle? And, how can I file a judgment to seize the assets (the fastest way for results) if the buyer lives in France? Please keep in mind, the buyer’s cooperation (I sold her) is located in the U.S. (i.e. Florida) and all documents, closing, purchasing agreements and transfer of shares were executed in Orlando, Florida, U.S. Therefore, I don’t understand why the buyer is allowed to breach/default our agreement and disregard the U.S. laws that protect our right(s) for due process simply by geography. Is there anyone that can help me?
Sincerely,
Mary A.
Marypalmcity@aol.com
Thank you everyone for answering my question! I have made progress since my last posting and learned that the person living in France used a Florida address for contact. This means I can file against them in Florida… if they don’t create an international issue. In any event, I CAN’T AFFORD AN ATTORNEY. the debtors took my business (I sold them and three years of income valued @ nearly 200K.) I had plans to open another business, however, I’m living off my savings to support my family. This month I’m done and will lose everything. My American dream was stolen by someone aboard who used our legal system to bury me with the cost and time to take back what is mine. My next step is to file a judgment. But I need an attorney… don’t have the money, so I’m going to do this myself. Anyone with templets or example forms to file for judgment would help a great deal. I don’t need a ‘judgment lien form’… I think I need to file papers with the court to ask for a judgment. Florida Law.