“Dear Sir/Madam,
I am seeking legal advice regarding a business dispute with Mr. A. A. (VAT number [ID]), who operates #### as a sole proprietor in Belgium.
Background
In 2022, my wife and I took out a personal bank loan of €30,000 to invest in the #### business.
The money was transferred directly to Mr. A. A. and was also used to pay expenses related to the restaurant premises.
Our agreement was that we would build the business together. I was promised:
* a monthly remuneration of €2,000;
* 49% of the business profits.
Although I was never made a legal co-owner of the business, the agreement regarding the monthly remuneration and the 49% profit share was formally documented and, to the best of my knowledge, officially registered.
My involvement in the business
From 2022 until September 2024, I worked full-time for the business.
I regularly worked from around 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., including weekends, food truck events and festivals, often working up to 16 hours per day.
Despite my full commitment to the business, I never received the agreed monthly remuneration.
During this period, my wife financially supported our family while we continued repaying the personal loan that had financed the investment.
Liantis registration
I was registered as a zelfstandig helper with Liantis.
As a result, Liantis is now claiming approximately €10,500 in unpaid social security contributions.
The issue is that Mr. A. A. appears to have declared that I had received income, while in reality I never received the agreed payments.
Document regarding business debts
At one point, Mr. A. A. asked me to sign a document stating that I would be responsible for 50% of the business debts, because I was expected to receive 49% of the profits.
At the time, I trusted him completely and signed the document.
End of our cooperation
In September 2024, I stopped working for the business.
Our verbal agreement at that time was that I would leave the business completely, while Mr. A. A. would continue operating it on his own and would take full responsibility for the remaining debts, including the Liantis social security contributions.
Later, following a disagreement regarding the declared income and the Liantis contributions, Mr. A. A. informed me that he would no longer honour that agreement.
Evidence
I can provide the following evidence:
* the personal loan agreement;
* bank statements showing the €30,000 investment;
* the written agreement regarding the monthly remuneration of €2,000 and the 49% profit share;
* WhatsApp conversations covering the entire period of our cooperation, including discussions about the investment, the business, my departure and Mr. A. A.'s later refusal to honour our agreement;
* bank statements showing that I never received the agreed remuneration;
* Liantis documentation;
* at least four witnesses, including a former employee, who can confirm my role in the business, the agreement between us, my working hours and the fact that I was never paid.
Legal advice requested
I would like to know:
* whether I have legal grounds to recover my €30,000 investment;
* whether I have claims for the unpaid remuneration and/or the promised 49% share of the profits;
* whether the Liantis social security contributions can be challenged or recovered from Mr. A. A.;
* what legal effect the document regarding the 50% of the business debts has;
* and what would be the best legal strategy to recover my losses.
Thank you for your time. I can provide all supporting documents and evidence if required.”
