Occasionally I have had a foot dragging client that is slow with payment. Generally I try to resolve the matter amicably, but there are always those clients that do not want to act reasonably.

Enforcing the attorney's common law lien on the file permitted by Connecticut works wonders. The lien attaches to the file, and travels with it until the attorney's fee is paid. It further attaches to the proceeds received by each party who has come into possession of the file in an amount equal to the attorney's fee. This includes the signing service, title company and lender. It is conceivable that enforcing the lien could result in garnishment of the mortgagor's monthly mortgage payment to the lender.

In my last amicable attempt to obtain payment I usually explain the process to the client, and tell him that the defendants in the suit will include not only him but also his clients who have benefited financially from my work on the file. I usually receive payment within a week after this communication.

This same argument applies to abstracting work done by Connecticut attorneys. There is also the argument that your client has wrongfully taken your property (title abstract). The work you performed remains your property until you are paid for it. A demand that he either pay you, or return your property to you often works well too.

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