Late Invoice Payment Guidelines

Summary

If a contract lacks payment terms, Alberta law implies a reasonable time for payment. Clients must invoice within a reasonable timeframe. You can negotiate or dispute the invoice. For unresolved disputes, consider small claims court for amounts under $50,000.

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i have a client that just invoiced me after 1 year. what can I expect to pay
Hi Trevor,
To assist you better, could you please clarify the nature of the services provided by your client and whether there was any agreement or contract in place regarding payment terms?
there was a contract in place
Hi Trevor,
Thank you for the information. To guide you better:
- What were the payment terms specified in the contract?
- Was there any clause about late invoicing or payment?
This will help determine your obligations under Alberta contract law.
no payment terms
Hi Trevor,
Thank you for the clarification. Here’s some general information about your situation:
- In Alberta, if a contract does not specify payment terms, reasonable time for payment is implied.
- The client must provide an invoice within a reasonable timeframe.
- You may have grounds to negotiate or dispute the invoice.
For more specific advice, consider contacting a legal advisor.
Would you like information on how to contest the invoice?
yes
Hi Trevor,
Here’s some general information on how to contest an invoice in Alberta:
- **Review the Contract:** Ensure that there are no hidden terms or clauses regarding payment.
- **Document Communication:** Keep records of all communications with your client.
- **Negotiate:** Attempt to negotiate a payment plan or dispute resolution directly with your client.
- **Legal Action:** If negotiation fails, consider small claims court for disputes under $*,*.
Would you like information on the nearest court to file a small claims case?