>That's exactly how it happened to me a number of years ago when I encountered the same problem. A client who paid along the way but refused to pay the final bill. A small claims case was won and the judge gave me a lecture about contracts that I have not forgotten.

You shudda heard the lecture I got, lots of "as a lawyer you should know better" etc.

I wonder if the community would have any interest in a concoct-it-yourself software development contract?

It should not be too hard to do in VFP -- just a form which permits the user to paste together various clauses in a standard contract form. Hmmm! It might at least keep those who do not use lawyers out of major trouble.

regards,