Aside from a rainy wedding day, it’s every bride and groom’s worst nightmare; the venue you had scheduled to hold you reception has gone out of business. You scramble to find a new location for the reception, but what can you do about your deposit?
The first step to take is to call the United States Bankruptcy Court to see if the business has filed for bankruptcy. If it has, file a claim with the Bankruptcy Court. Bankruptcy Court allows for an orderly distribution of funds. Secured creditors are paid first, followed by any others who file proof of claims.
If the business has not filed for bankruptcy, you can file a Consumer Complaint with the AGO. The Attorney General’s Office can attempt to contact the owner on your behalf and try to come to a mutual resolution of the dispute. If mediation is unsuccessful and the deposit was under $2,000, the next option is to file in Small Claims Court. For more information on Small Claims Court you can call the Small Claims Court Advisory Board at 617-497-5690. If the amount of your deposit is over $2,000, you may want to contact a private attorney. For assistance finding an attorney, contact the Massachsetts Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 617-654-0400.
The Attorney General’s Office looks at trends or patterns of behavior. If the office notices a trend or pattern, we may take action on behalf of the Commonwealth.
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