Need Help!

I got fired the other day. But the company still owes me over $17,000.00 in commission. They are not wanting to pay it to me until all of the customers have paid, or pay me a little as each customer pays. How am I suspose to know when they pay. I was told they have to pay me all of it up front. Does anybody know anything about this kind of stuff?Working for family has it's good points, but when all the family gets involved it sucks.

I was under the impression that when you are fired / layed off the company has so many days to pay you your dues.