Most business disputes turn on what the contract says. It often decides where you can sue, how long you have, and whether you go to court at all. We read the agreement first, and then we tell you plainly what you are looking at.
A business dispute works differently from an injury case. Usually there is no insurance company paying first and no contingency fee. You pay for the lawyer's time, so cost matters from the first day. For many smaller disputes, the legal bill can grow larger than the amount you are trying to recover. We tell you that at the start. We also tell you whether we will handle the case ourselves or connect you with another firm that fits it better.
What these cases usually are
A broken contract is the most common dispute we hear about. A customer stopped paying invoices, or a vendor never delivered the work or materials you already paid for. Michigan gives you six years to sue on most contracts. MCL 600.5807(9).
A sale of goods follows different rules. Agreements to buy or sell products, equipment, or inventory run on a shorter clock of four years. The original contract can cut that time to one year, but never less. MCL 440.2725(1).
A partner or co-owner dispute often involves a company you built together. An LLC is a limited liability company. A member who is being shut out or squeezed by the people in control can ask the circuit court for help. The court can order a buyout at fair value, award damages, or even close the company. MCL 450.4515(1).
The fine print matters more than people expect. Many contracts require written notice first, name a court in a certain place, or send disputes to arbitration. Arbitration means a private judge instead of a public court. In most cases, those clauses control how and where the fight happens. MCL 691.1686(1), MCL 600.745(3).
Tell us what happened at askazzo.com, or call 844-ASK-AZZO (844-275-2996). The office is at 33687 Woodward Ave in Birmingham.
