<html> <body> Hey, Judge Judy (and several others now) is a win win for everyone involved.  Everyone gets paid to participate.  :-D  Not that I'm volunteering to represent anyone.  Judgements can be paid out of the compensation to appear.  Just not sure if there's enough compensation to cover that kind of publicity, but they say all publicity is good, no? Andrew Anderson At 01:34 PM 2/15/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Terry - As distasteful as it may seem, you should get some legal advice, ASAP.  After that, you can decide how benevolent to be without digging yourself in deeper.  I wonder if you could end up on Judge Judy? X;{ David Skolnik At 01:03 PM 2/15/2006 -0500, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">I've just run into a first for me. Couple years ago I contracted with a local couple (the husband to be specific) to remanufacture their old Baldwin M grand (5'3") - new soundboard, action, finish, etc. The piano was originally purchased new by the woman's grandmother and was handed down to her (read: sentimental value - no other piano will do). They put the first 1/3 of the contract fee up front. I completed building the new soundboard, bridges, ordered parts, etc., etc. The next step was to move on to refinishing - that is when the next installment of funds was due.   I tried to contact them at that point (several months after I started) and was unable to - all phone numbers disconnected, etc - I tried internet searches with no luck. I now learn that the couple got divorced, the woman moved to the Carolinas and the man seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.   I stopped working on the piano a long time ago because it seemed I did not have a client and roughly 1/3 of the work had been completed.   This morning I get a call from the woman's mother inquiring about the piano. I explained the status and she asked if I could just "put it back together" and that she had no funds that she wished to invest in the piano - but realizes that it may cost something to make it whole again in some minimal fashion.   So now I'm trying to figure out some sort of solution to this situation. I seems very clear there will not be a "good" solution to this situation (unless, of course, the husband is found and is willing to complete the contract - which mom will try to do - but I'm not going to hold my breath). I only wish to get paid for the work I do to the piano. I do not wish to hold anyone to complete the full scope of contracted rebuilding tasks - that would be best for the piano, but I don't think anyone will want to pay for it. I'm going to figure up a fee for making the piano whole for the least cost. That will be such an awkward solution - new fabulous belly - peeling finish - dull plate - so-so action with chipped/cracked ivory keys. I feel so uneasy about such an end. And I know the lady won't be happy with the piano either.   Does anyone have any constructive thoughts for a least-bad outcome to a situation like this? Maybe there is some avenue/direction that I have not thought of. Thanks.   Terry Farrell    </blockquote></blockquote></body> </html>