My question involves independent contractors in the state of: Massachusetts.
I helped a relative of mine market a commercial property online. Due to my marketing I was able to help this person sell a property for $5.5 million (I was not the broker, just helped find a buyer by placing ads). Before the sale we agreed on a commission of 5% upon the closing. This was a verbal contract over the phone. My relative was greedy and decided to hold the mortgage rather than have the buyer get a commercial loan from the bank, and be paid up front. He collected $1.2 million upfront and paid me a fraction of the amount we agreed upon. He said he would pay me the rest over 360 monthly payments at 6% interest. I protested but I did not have adequate funds to take him to court at the time so I accepted the payments for 13 months.
About 6 months ago my relative got into a legal battle with my family. It had nothing to do with me but unfortunately he decided to breach our verbal contract and stop paying me what I am owed. I have a paper trail of the 13 monthly payments which I deposited and the original amount that he paid me. I have spoken with a friend who is a lawyer and he told me I should have a good case, but I wanted to get some more advice before I call the lawyer that he referred me to. I appreciate any input.