If you’ve ever had the bad luck of checking your bank account on payday only to find you haven’t been paid yet, you know just how frustrating a delayed paycheck can be. Luckily, the law is on your side. Most states operate similarly when it comes to paycheck laws, and all states (except Alabama and South Carolina) mandate weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly payments. That means if your employer misses a paycheck, they can be held accountable by law. If you want to know the exact payday laws in your specific state, you can check this list.

But before you worry about getting the law involved, first contact your employer about the lost paycheck. It’s best to do this in person as well as in writing, in case you later need to use the email or letter as evidence. If they assure you your paycheck is in the mail, remind them that they are obligated to have your check in your hand by the designated payday, not just in the mail. Hopefully, the check will arrive soon, but if late paychecks continue to be a problem with your employer, you may have grounds for legal action.

But what if the check never comes at all? According to FindLaw, the steps to take in the case of an absent paycheck are as follows:

1. Contact your employer (preferably in writing) and ask for the wages owed to you
2. If your employer refuses to do so, consider filing a claim with your state’s labor agency.
3. File a suit in small claims court or superior court for the amount owed
4. For larger cases involving a late paycheck or payday laws in general, consider hiring a labor attorney to help you.

The most important thing to remember in the case of a late or undelivered paycheck is that getting paid for the work you do is your right. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable confronting your employer about issues of wages, and you shouldn’t hesitate to consult a lawyer if you feel you’re being taken advantage of by your employer in any way.

string(2402) "
If you've ever had the bad luck of checking your bank account on payday only to find you haven't been paid yet, you know just how frustrating a delayed paycheck can be. Luckily, the law is on your side. Most states operate similarly when it comes to paycheck laws, and all states (except Alabama and South Carolina) mandate weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly payments. That means if your employer misses a paycheck, they can be held accountable by law. If you want to know the exact payday laws in your specific state, you can check this list.
But before you worry about getting the law involved, first contact your employer about the lost paycheck. It's best to do this in person as well as in writing, in case you later need to use the email or letter as evidence. If they assure you your paycheck is in the mail, remind them that they are obligated to have your check in your hand by the designated payday, not just in the mail. Hopefully, the check will arrive soon, but if late paychecks continue to be a problem with your employer, you may have grounds for legal action.
But what if the check never comes at all? According to FindLaw, the steps to take in the case of an absent paycheck are as follows:
Contact your employer (preferably in writing) and ask for the wages owed to you
If your employer refuses to do so, consider filing a claim with your state's labor agency. 
File a suit in small claims court or superior court for the amount owed
For larger cases involving a late paycheck or payday laws in general, consider hiring a labor attorney to help you.
The most important thing to remember in the case of a late or undelivered paycheck is that getting paid for the work you do is your right. There's no need to feel uncomfortable confronting your employer about issues of wages, and you shouldn't hesitate to consult a lawyer if you feel you're being taken advantage of by your employer in any way.
"

​​The ugliest thing about credit card debt is that it’s plaguing millions of Americans all across the country. Hang-on, hang-on before you despair — it’s possible to pay off credit card debt by simply avoiding certain purchases that you’d normally give in to without a thought.  The latest social media trend that encourages people to

If you were to ask someone who they think the biggest superstar in the world is, there’s a good chance they’ll answer without a moment’s hesitation, “Beyoncé.” The Queen Bee has been effortlessly dropping record-breaking albums and chart-topping radio singles since her Destiny’s Child days, and she is not slowing down anytime soon.  Considering her

A few years back I lucked into an unexpected pile of cash. I’m not sure how word got out but it did. Suddenly, I was pitching in to help my brother buy a used car. I “loaned” $500 to a friend to help pay for the broker’s fee on her new apartment. And another long-time

By Massimo Tornambe Scott Disick, aka “Lord Disick” has gained fame and a devoted following since his appearances on the reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Disick is renowned for his expensive taste in clothes, cars, and women. The question that millions of fans are asking is: where did his fortune come from? Scott

Imagine this: you marry the man of your dreams. You have two beautiful children with another on the way. You spend your days cooking gorgeous, nutritious meals for your family…. from scratch. You get paid to share your daily life and meals with people around the world. But here’s the catch: half of those people

Image via UnSplash: Giorgio Trovato There’s so much to do before the end of the year. And so much of it seems to zap your bank account. Hosting Thanksgiving? Holiday shopping? Decorating and decking the halls? All of it costs money. But there’s one way to get some money back before the close of the

Trying to cancel your gym membership can be more tiring than actually attending that kickboxing class you keep skipping. Getting out of your gym contract can be so tough that people are going to great lengths to avoid paying any penalties. After going into debt living a lifestyle she couldn’t afford, this woman forged fake

In this month’s Money Journal, Celia is organized and disciplined yet enjoys her life “to the Max” Welcome to Money Journal, a monthly Paypath series that examines how Americans really handle their finances. Our participants keep a journal of their earnings, spending, and savings (if any), then share what it’s like to live in their

Everyone says the economy’s healthier than ever, but some of us still find it necessary to make that paycheck stretch…and stretch…and stretch. The better we understand our spending habits, the better we can manage them. Living frugally can benefit you in many ways. You’ll grow more self-reliant, creative, and resourceful as you learn to make

Who could live without online shopping? It’s a standard routine in so many households. Whether you’re stocking up on groceries, snagging the latest and greatest tech sensation, shopping for holiday gifts, or treating yourself to a new outfit, the convenience of buying this stuff while in your pajamas is hard to beat — at least