Expert: Kitty Kavey - 10/19/2006

Question
Is there a Nevada statutes pertaining to cancellation of a contract? 2 nights ago my husband and I gave a agency $100.00 dollars and signed a contract to finance the rest of the 1000.00. in addition we have to pay for 6 photo’s at $40.00 each and purchase 6 of the photo’s  along with a sitting fee of $15.00 that will be a additional to the finance charge of $61.00 to the $1000.00 of grand total of $1,316.00. We were told that if we should cancel the contract the $100.00 is non refundable. After doing research the next day on the Web and the Better Business Bureau. I was not pleased of the research found about the company. I wish I would have researched the company before signing any contract . Please advise….Thank you

Answer
I'm not sure what the Nevada statutes are, but you can start here:
Department of Business & Industry
555 E. Washington Ave. Suite 4900
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-486-2750 Fax: 702-486-2758
E-Mail: biinfo@dbi.state.nv.us

and here:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/law1.cfm
(Nevada Law Library)

In the mean time, check the contract you have carefully for a way out.  In other states there are laws in place to separate legitimate model/talent agencies from photo mills, 'modeling' schools, and other conflict-of-interest businesses.  
If you are looking for a commercial print modeling agency, or a talent agency, I suggest using the Screen Actors Guild agency list on www.SAG.org under Resources, Agent Information.  Those agencies marked as FS are those that have a commercial print division in addition to representing acting talent.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty