My invoices state "Due in 10 days".  I only work for attorneys.  I recently did a title search on a piece of commercial property, which closed on 2/28/11.  I called one week later to ask where my fee was, and was told that he paid abstractors the third week of every month.  I pointed out to him that this was a "closing", and my fee should have been paid out of his escrow and on the HUD.  I also pointed out that on a closing he had only 24 hours to clear his escrow.  I asked if he had ever heard of RESPA.

He then had the gall to say my fee was too high, and asked him how much I charged for a commerical search.  I said I charge $60 an hour, and asked him how much he charges.  Boy, did he make me angry.  At any rate, I said I would expect my check no later that April 1.  April 1 came and went of course.  I wrote him sent him a hot letter informing this that I would write the Supreme Court about him not paying my fee, not following RESPA.  I received my money the very next day.  I have only had to do this two other times with attorneys over the last 13 years.  What is it with attorneys that they think they don't have to pay an abstractor.

When I actually had too much work and contracted out my work to another abstractor, I paid them the very next day.