Hello, I am going to a school in the states but live in Norway. The school now wants money from me to quit the school as I wish to go back home. I does say in the contract i signed that they can legally do this but i still think it is unreasonable. So I was wondering if I go back to Norway can they claim any money from me there, and can it have any consequences when I go back to the states in the future?
Thank you for the post, while the breach of contract (failure to pay as required by the contract) cannot be enforced against you abroad, should you return to the US and/or have non-exempt assets in the US (e.g. bank account, real or personal property) those assets may be subject to levy, lien, or seizure. The ability to seize or lien personal property depends on the state wherein the property is located and the state laws which govern the contract you entered into with the school. Please let me know if you need additional guidance.
So if i dont have any assets in the US they can not do anything?
And I will not be refused to leave the country or get in trouble when I get back?
No, criteria for entry does not focus on financial debt and/or civil judgment against an individual. So this should not apply here.
Please let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Ok, so I can not be put in prison or anything when i come back to the US if I owe a private company money?
no, civil liabilities do not result in incarceration (jail).
So they can not refuse me to leave the country either
Correct
And a hypotethical question, is it common for a company to try to pursuit these kind of cases or will they usually let them be, the amount of money they want is $15,000
In light of the substantial sum owed, it will likely be pursued.
But can it have any general consequences as I will be in a different country then
And i did sign the contract, but the contract is quite extreme when it comes to penalties to leave the course, will thar be taken into consideration?
No, but your credit score in the US will suffer. Yes and no, extreme penalties may be deemed invalid (generally such penalties that are invalidated relate to interest and late fees, not the principal debt owed).
it is a total course cost of $50,000, and if i leave they want 10% of that, 30% of whatever I have left to pay wich is $15,000, and they will charge me whatever the "walk in rate" is for the courses as I have bought a package on a flight course. So basically if I continue they want $15,000 to complete it and if a leave they want almost $15,000 in a disenrollement fee.
Would that have any chance of being seen on as a unreasonable contract?
This would likely be enforceable however.
Not realistically.
So what you are saying is that it could be enforced on me?
Yes.
But again, only in the US
So if I come back to the US can they hold me here untill I have paid?
No. Again, criteria for entry does not focus on financial debt and/or civil judgment against an individual.
Aright, thank you
Thank you, have a great day.
Experience: Experience in this category is derived from assisting clients with bullying disputes and IEPs.