i recieved a letter in the mail saying my mother and i owe 300 for a library movies,books she got for her crack-head friends and never returned when i was 12.they are telling me its now my responsibility cause im over 18!!!the stuff she got from the library i don't even know,she was on drugs and still is,they want me to pay this debt but it is not my fault,now i cannot even get a library card,i cannot afford to pay this money being its not my fault and i am on disability.i thought about getting a public defender but im not sure.theres no way my mother will pay the money that has collected intrest since i was 12 to be 300 i just found her after having not seen her for 7yrs and shes still on drugs,i am so frustrated about this debt.how can i be blamed for my mothers debt on some things she did on her own.???any suggestions on this??
2007-01-16 19:41:31 · 10 answers · asked by swirl 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
If you didn't sign anything and didn't make any payments as an adult, they can't force you to pay. In addition, if your mother obtained a library card under false pretenses, they need to go after her for fraud and not you as you are the victim of the fraud. If you claim that you never received the first card and that there was fraud, you should also insist that they issue you your own library card now that you are an adult and can be held liable for your own actions.
Good luck with your problem and with your mom.
2007-01-17 03:23:24 · answer #1 · answered by techibd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Legally you're NOT responsible, being the items checked out were done when you were a minor. You seem to still have clear proof your mom signed for you to have the card while still a minor. That proof (your birth certificate and library card) should prove such.
Evidently, your mother has been mobile over the years and the library exhaustedly has tried (and failed) to contact her direct; you, however, are more easier to find.
Any and ALL debts created in your name at the time you were a minor child fall on your mother's responsibility. I'd have an attorney contact her and advise her of this fact.
2007-01-17 03:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Wizard 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you try going to the library and explaining it to them? You were twelve at the time the debs were incurred and *that* should determine whether you're liable, not your current age. This way people could put any debt on hold; give a 4-year-old who's playing with the phone an expensive loan or item & collect 14 years later "because he's over 18 now".
2007-01-17 03:59:25 · answer #3 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your birth certificate or some other form of "age" id to the library. Ask for the "head librarian" and explain the situation. You should not be held responsible for a debt that was incurred when you were a minor, and didn't use the library card issued in your name. When they "stick" your mother with the bill, don't feel bad, it's HER responsibility, not yours! Good luck!
2007-01-17 03:48:45 · answer #4 · answered by Tweet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
doesn't matter that you are 18 now. The fact is you were 12 when you entered into the contract to get a card, and a person under the age of 18 is not responsible when they enter into a contract or sign any documents, that's any documents a child must sign it says if you are under 18 a parent or guardian must sign and take responsibility.
2007-01-17 03:52:27 · answer #5 · answered by Winnipeg76 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the UK, unless you have somehow agreed to accept responsibility for the debt, you are not responsible for the it.
Minors are not able to enter into contracts - you have no obligation to repay the debt nor should you be adversely affected by it (i.e. negative credit score). If you are being threatened by a collection agency, I would contact a local legal advisor - they need to stop and ensure you are not linked to the action in any way.
2007-01-17 03:57:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tweet's advice above is sound.
If I were you though, and could afford to do it, I'd just pay the bill and get it off my credit report asap. Fighting them on it is going to be a long and frustrating process. No, it's not your fault, but in the long wrong isn't it better to have the debt paid and not worry about any more 'bad blood' between family?
2007-01-17 03:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you haven't made any payment on the account after your 18th birthday then you are not legally liable.
All you have to do is write them and advise them that you were a minor when your mom took out the card in joint names. Instruct them to take your name off the account and state that you have no intention of paying them.
That should do the trick.
2007-01-17 03:51:51 · answer #8 · answered by Jack 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have to pay it back... ask if you can pay it in installments. like $50 bucks a month or something.
2007-01-17 03:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you sign anything?
2007-01-17 04:16:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋