Peculiar, MO asked in Contracts for Missouri

Q: Can a company buy out another company and "take over their contracts"? Can contracts renew automatically without notice?

We are trying to fire our present garbage company and change to a different company with much better pricing. Our original company was bought out by Waste Management a few months ago. They claim that we had a contract with L&K started in 2006 and that it went for 5 years and then renewed automatically. My sister was not aware of a contract and received no notice about renewing. Waste Management says our contract goes until 2021 and it will cost $1000+ to "buy out the contract". In Missouri can they do this?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
Answered
  • Chesterfield, MO
  • Licensed in Missouri

A: What you have is a contract issue. An attorney would need to read the contract to provide you with sound advice. That being said, I’m familiar with waste industry contracts and they are generally harsh. The often renew automatically unless the customer gives sufficient notice of non-renewal. My guess is that you are bound by the prior, renewed contract but that is just a guess.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.