Contracts

My son and his wife recently got divorced. Prior to that I lent my son $44000.00 He repaid his half, according to court documents his ex-wife is liable for the other half. My son has to pay several thousands of dollars due to her from his stock options. I don't believe I will ever see this money from his ex unless I take action. What are my options?

I am a costume designer that is contracted by dance studios for custom costuming. I was recently contracted for 17 costumes. Because I've worked for her previously and have a good reputation as a designer, she gave me creative freedom to create the costumes with only general directions of the basic 'look'. The details were completely up to me as she said she trusted my judgement. This was an oral contract and she gave no written instructions, photos, drawings, etc of what to make. She gave a $35.00 deposit per dancer. I clarified the details of the order in email. I then did a mock up of one costume and sent photos which was approved with minor changes which I made. I then made the 17 custom costumes, each made to the specific measurements of each dancer. I delivered them, including 17 head pieces as requested. (the instructions were, make something for their heads) with a bill for $127.00 a piece including the sales tax. I received a phone call a few days later that they didn't like the length of the bottoms or the shape of the tuxedo tails and a couple of other complaints, none of them quality or fit issues, just creative subjectivity and I needed to do them over. I refused as I do not have another 100 hours in my schedule and I delivered them as approved in the photo! My offer was they can keep all the work I did on the tops and the hats for the $35.00 deposit and give the bottoms back to me (although they are custom and cannot be resold) or they can pay full price and keep the bottoms. I thought this was more than fair to pay me for all my labor. They are going to take the amount of the deposit I am refusing to return and deduct it from the amount they owe me on another job. Do I have any legal recourse to be paid for my labor and can I actually sue in small claims for the total amount. I delivered a quality product which was approved by photo in email. They just changed their minds!

If a service provider submits a dated document to a customer which states the name of the company providing the service, a detailed description of the services provided, the total amount due for the services specifying that it is an annual payment, and it is signed by a legal representative of the company providing the service, can Accounts Payable legally generate payment for the service even if the word 'INVOICE' is not on the document?

I have a home that I rent out. I have regular insurance on the home but do not have it covered as a rental. The renters want to paint and I have no problem with that. However there are 20 foot ceilings and I am concerned about my liability if they fall off the ladder. Could they sue me? If I have them sign a release of liability for their personal injury, would that stand up in court?

The administrators of my flexible spending account will not accept the medical documentation provided my doctor for a procedure, and they have demanded that I pay back the money they disbursed to my own account ($4500). What happens if I refuse to reimburse my own account? Can they take legal action or garnish my wages?