can I sue someone for not paying a bill that i put in my name?

Question

I got three cell phones in my name. Which I gave to family since they all have bad credit. We made a verbal agreement in front of employee/friend that they will pay their bill on time. But they have not paid their bill yet and it is past due.

Answer 1

Wow. You must not ever watch Judge Judy. Cell phones are some of the most common claims on that show.

Yes, you can sue.

First thing you need to do though is shut the phones off so your family members aren't running up more bills. Ultimately, the Cell Phone company is going to come after you for payment. They could care less who you gave the phones to. You signed the contract. You will be responsible for the bill.

It will take you several months for your lawsuit to work it's way though the courts so you will have to pay the bill in the meantime or your credit is going to be bad just like the rest of your families. If it's already past due, you need to pay it fairly quickly. Also, depending on what cell phone you got, you'll probably have a termination fee for shutting the cell phones off before the contract ended.

Let this be a lesson to you. Don't loan money to (or buy cell phones for) family members with bad credit. They got bad credit because they didn't pay their bills. That should have been your first clue.

Answer 2

If you have witness's to the fact that are willing to attest in court you might be able to recover some of the money.
But I would just turn off the phones until they did pay. The phone company won't do it until its at least 90days past due. When you get deeper and deeper in debt you wish you had cut it off at the 30 day mark.
People that have bad credit have it for a reason. Most people can live without cell phones its just become an 'in thing' to have but its not a life necessity.
Suing family really looks bad. :-(

Answer 3

Yes, it is in your name and you will be held responsible. You should pay the bill and end the account, get out while you still can.
The accounting company will hold you responsible.

You could sue them in small claims court with your witnesses, but it will most likely cost more than it would to write it off as a learning experience. If you choose to sue, do so After paying the bill.

Answer 4

If phones are in your name, you should tell relatives you are going to close the accounts. Maybe that will get them to pay, and if not you should go ahead and do it, so at least the bill in your name doesn't get any higher. this will mess up your credit rating. I don't think suing is an option b/c it's hard to enforce an oral agreement.

Answer 5

yes you can! And, don't wait - just cancel the plans and make them pay you the early cancellation fees.

If you file those papers to sue them, I guarantee they'll pay you up even before you get your court date.

Plus, you may not even need witnesses...Nobody in their right mind would sign 3 people if they didn't promise to pay back. the court should be able to see that you were trying to help and you got taken for a ride.

best of luck!!

Answer 6

Yes you can ! Just a suggestion though, make sure to pay the bill if you don't want your credit score affected.

Answer 7

Everyone makes mistakes. But you don't have to make the mistake of taking your family to court over this. Life is a profound teacher...first we get the test and then comes the lesson. Consider yourself fortunate in that you don't have thousands of dollars tied up (mortgages, residential leases etc.) It's not their problem that you used bad judgment...

Answer 8

Small claims court.... see if that Employee remembers the conversation ... have them fill out an affidavit.

Answer 9

Yes, you see it on Judge Judy all the time

Answer 10

If they told you they would pay you back and you have some witnesses