Can I place a lien on someone's property for unpaid business investments?

Full question:

I invested in a (so called) business in the US. I am Canadian and I physically met this person in California. He drafted a contract of which we both signed. There has been much communication between the 2 of us in the past regarding business transactions and such. I asked for financial statements with regards to the business and as of now I have not received a single one. I have all the documentation and emails that have were exchanged between us. Is it possible to put a lien on his property or bank account so I can retrieve my money?

Answer:

To determine if you can place a lien, review your investment agreement. If you became an owner, check the corporate or LLC documents, such as by-laws or operating agreements. Generally, you cannot file a lien until you file a lawsuit and obtain a judgment, unless your agreement states otherwise. As an owner, you can also request an accounting of the business's finances.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

If business partners cannot agree, it may lead to disputes that can disrupt operations. Typically, partners should refer to their partnership agreement for resolution procedures. If no agreement exists, partners may need to negotiate or seek mediation. If disagreements persist, legal action could be necessary, including dissolution of the partnership or seeking a court order for specific actions.