Nj Dentist Repeatedly Unpaid After Practice Sale — Can I Quit Now And Notify My Active Patients Directly?

Hi everyone,
Location: New Jersey
I’m an orthodontist in New Jersey and would appreciate advice from NJ healthcare/employment attorneys. I’m trying to resolve this with minimal to no litigation or legal headache. My biggest concern is protecting my professional reputation and making sure my active orthodontic patients are not left wondering why I suddenly disappeared.
I have been the sole orthodontist at a pediatric dental practice for approximately three years, working about twice per month.
I am classified as a 1099 independent contractor. There is no signed contract. My compensation arrangement was a handshake agreement with the prior owner: 40% of orthodontic collections, with a guaranteed minimum per clinical day.
The practice was sold in May 2026 to two new owners/business partners. Since then, the situation has deteriorated significantly.
The two owners are now in a serious dispute against each other. They are barely communicating, and each has retained attorneys in connection with claims/disputes against the other owner.
Staff have repeatedly had problems getting paid. There was recently an incident where staff became so upset over unpaid wages that police were called during a confrontation at the office. The staff were subsequently paid what they were owed, but there still appears to be no reliable plan for future payroll.
There have also been recurring problems obtaining necessary clinical supplies and getting basic responses from ownership.

My compensation
I have worked six clinical days since the ownership change.
I was paid my daily minimum for the first three days but have received nothing for the last three, so I am currently owed a bit over $4k minimum.
I also recently learned that the practice apparently has not been properly submitting and/or collecting orthodontic insurance payments, which is especially concerning because my compensation is based on collections.
At this point, however, I would be satisfied simply recovering the** minimum I am owed rather than turning this into a larger accounting dispute.
I sent both owners a formal email describing the unpaid compensation, insurance billing problems, staffing/supply issues, and the need for a clear plan going forward. **I gave them approximately one week to respond.
In the middle of that week, after learning more about the insurance billing problem, I sent another reminder/follow-up email urging them to respond.
Neither owner has responded to either email.

My immediate problem
My next scheduled clinical day is in the middle of next week.
At this point, I have already worked three unpaid clinical days, ownership has ignored repeated written requests for a solution, and I have no reason to believe I will actually be paid if I show up next week.
At the same time, I have a significant number of active orthodontic patients who are currently in braces/comprehensive treatment.
I practice locally and expect to remain in the community long-term, so my professional reputation is extremely important to me. I am concerned that if I simply stop working there, ownership could control the narrative and make it appear to patients that I abruptly quit or abandoned them without explaining the circumstances.

My main questions
1. Can I terminate the relationship now, or do I need to work my next scheduled day?

2. Can I directly notify my active orthodontic patients that I am leaving?
If I terminate my relationship with the practice, can I independently call, email, or mail the active orthodontic patients I personally treat?
I have legitimate access to their contact information through the practice-management system as their treating orthodontist. I want to make sure they have options for continued care.
My biggest concern is ownership controlling the narrative and making it appear that I simply abandoned patients.

3. Can I tell patients that continuing treatment with me elsewhere is an option?
Seeing how the owners are unresponsive, I don’t think I can ask them to provide the information for a smooth transition of pts. I highly doubt given their circumstances they would be able to find another orthodontist to replace me, especially so soon.

I may have more than one practical option if I leave this practice. I already work at another dental office where I may be able to see some patients, and I may also be able to arrange temporary chair space locally.
If I notify patients that I am leaving, can I legally tell them that continuing treatment with me at another location may be an available option?
Would that create any issue regarding solicitation, patient ownership, HIPAA, or use of the practice’s patient contact information?

4. If a patient chooses to continue with me elsewhere, can I ask the patient/parent to obtain and provide the information needed to continue treatment?
Can I have the patient request from the current practice and provide to me or the new treating office:
their complete clinical records;
their financial ledger;
records of payments they have made;
insurance claim/payment history;
copies of relevant financial agreements; and
any other information necessary to understand what has already been paid and how treatment should continue?

5. What is the simplest way to recover the $4,200 minimum I am already owed if possible?

Thank you Everyone!! Really appreciate the help in advance!!

Tldr nj dentist working without pay. Options for quitting asap without pt abandonment issues and protecting reputation amongst patients if I suddenly leave.