HELP YOUR CHILD FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG
WITH THESE 3 TIPS
We’re rapidly approaching the end of the school year, which can be challenging for many high school students. Some may have recently entered a spring slump (or succumbed to “senioritis”), where they grow bored or tired of school and now have their sights set on summer break. You may notice their grades slipping, which could signify skipping school or not trying on their assignments. This can have extreme consequences for their future, like not qualifying to attend their college of choice or even losing a potential scholarship if they’re in their senior year. As their parent, you can help them avert a potential disaster. You might not be able to do the work for them, but you can encourage them to do better. Here are a few ways to help your child avoid the spring slump.
say negative things about school or your child’s teacher(s), they will emulate your feelings. Try to flip your perspective and view their schooling positively if you do struggle with feeling negative about it. Speaking positively about school will help your children enjoy the experience better and set them up for success in the future. PROVIDE MOTIVATION. What motivates your kids? Some kids perform better when rewarded for their actions, while others might need some form of discipline to encourage them to do better. Some kids don’t do well when encouragement comes from their parents, so you may need to find an outside source if your child does not respond appropriately to you. Every teen is motivated by something. If you can provide that motivation, they will do much better in all aspects of life. EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOOD GRADES. Sometimes, you just need to sit your kids down and have a conversation about the importance of keeping good grades and doing their assignments. But make this a discussion, not a lecture. If you try to dominate the conversation, it could adversely affect the situation. Explain the significance of grades and their potential impact on their future. Answer any questions they have and be honest in your responses.
CULTIVATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
Most children look to their parents as a
primary example of how to act. If you consistently
Unpaid Debts
WHEN SHOULD YOU HIRE A COLLECTION ATTORNEY?
Most of our commercial transactions use a “pay first” system. The deli won’t hand you a sandwich until you pay, and a mechanic will keep your car if you attempt to skip out on a bill. But companies that sell professional services or work directly to other businesses often use an accounts receivable billing model. It’s the price many companies pay for doing business, but it can cost them dearly when clients fail to pay. Any business that invoices customers should have a robust billing department to ensure timely and complete payments. But even the best plans fail, and business owners often need help responding. No one wants to burn bridges with a valuable customer, but nonpayments can destroy a business. When the internal collection process fails, businesses have multiple options. Some choose to engage the services of a Collection Agency. Collection Agencies charge companies a fee or percentage of the debt for collecting payments. Their methods sometimes fall into legal gray areas, so research carefully before hiring. But a Collection Agency can be ideal for a Creditor whose Debtor
only owes a few hundred to a few thousand dollars — particularly when the Creditor does not intend to work with the Debtor again. However, larger debts may require a more careful and structured approach. Business owners should consider hiring a Collection Attorney to resolve the matter. Collection Attorneys have more tools at their disposal than a Collection Agency. For large values, Collection Attorneys are often more efficient, effective, and affordable than Collection Agencies. An experienced Collection Attorney should not immediately jump to using aggressive tactics. In many cases, a letter from an attorney indicating a business is willing to take legal action prompts the Debtor to pay. However, when this tactic fails, a Collection Attorney can file a lawsuit to pursue payment on behalf of the Creditor. They can also uncover assets when a Debtor hides them and create payment arrangements when the Debtor does not have the means to pay all at once.
cases. If you’re struggling to receive payment for delivered products or services, call our office at 901-388-5805 to discuss your case. Our attorneys will help you determine the best path forward that ensures your financial wellness while maintaining your professional relationships.
Douglass & Runger has significant experience successfully representing Creditors in collection
2 • DouglassRunger.com
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