We lived together for about 8 months in Wright County, Minnesota. When I moved out, I asked if he would like me to pay half of the rent and utility bill for the last month we were on that lease together. He told me not to worry about it, but I eventually found out that he wrote bad checks all over the place that last month and then skipped town. I now have paid for the rent ($750), the late fees ($255), and a collection agency for the bank in which we had an account together ($107). I paid all of these because my name was also attached to them, but I would like to at least get him to pay me back for half. I'm wondering if that's possible and how I would go about doing that, only knowing that he is somewhere in Ohio. I do know his parents address in Ohio, but I do not have their phone number, nor do I have his. I do, however, have his social security number. Please help!
2007-08-23 09:58:38 · 19 answers · asked by A to the Wha Wha! 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
We were both on the lease...and I forgot to say that I also paid a $600 utility bill.
2007-08-23 11:28:24 · update #1
Wow, there's a lot of people who I'm sure are well-intentioned, but who have given you absolutely incorrect information!
Yes, you can sue him. The question is, will you win? and is it worth it?
There is considerable expense involved when filing a lawsuit, especially if he's out of state. You have to sue him where he lives now (which could be a problem if you don't know where he is), and then you'd have to PROVE that he agreed to pay half of all that. Then, even if you were able to prove that, and you got a judgment against him, he probably won't have the money to pay you since he's bouncing checks everywhere.
You probably need to just look at this as an $1100 lesson on being financially responsible. If I were your attorney, even though I'd say he legally and morally owes you the money, I would advise against trying to sue him, just because it's going to cost you several hundered more dollars at a minimum, and there's no guarantee you'll get anything from him.
Good luck.
2007-08-23 10:04:42 · answer #1 · answered by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not much chance of recovering your money, I'm afraid. Without a written agreement--either between you and him, or you/him and your creditors--it's your word against his. And that's only IF you can haul him into court. For which you will have to front court costs; only to get a judgment that isn't worth the paper it's printed on, much less the expense, time, and aggravation it'll take to get it.
Chalk it up to a life experience. Never borrow money from or lend money to a friend or lover, and to a relative only in an emergency. That doesn't mean "don't trust anybody ever again," however! There are crapheads and there are good men (people) in this world. Now maybe you'll recognize a craphead a little quicker. Let this one go and don't let it eat you up inside.
2007-08-23 10:07:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is his name on the lease?
If so he is liable for 1/2 of the debt.
Keep records take him to small claims court.
My guess he won't show up and you will have a judgement against him.
Than you can tap any bank account he has tell you are paid off.
2007-08-23 10:04:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to cost you a fortune to track him down and eventually get him to court. Even if there's a judgment against him he'll just skip town again. The police won't do a country-wide search for him. Let it go and chalk it up to a bad life experience.
2007-08-23 10:06:51 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine P...is for Poetry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as you can prove those checks bounced and that both of your names were on the the bills then you can take him to small claims court (up to $5,000) and get half the money back.
Just go to the town hall and get the papers and requirements. You don't need an attorney.
it don't cost much to sue in small claims, in MO its its $25 filing fee, thats it. and you can add that to the amount your sueing for.
2007-08-23 10:03:11 · answer #5 · answered by 2shay 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Half of the cases on "The People's Court" are like this one. It was good of you to offer to pay your half for the month abd you might even be able to go after him for the whole amount.
2007-08-23 10:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by thebuffettour 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you COULD- but I don't think it'd be worth it. The amounts you're stuck with- are relatively small, & it would end up costing you MORE to track him down & sue him- than it would be worth the trouble or return. Do yourself a FAVOR, chalk this one up to "Experience", and get any future financial agreements with boyfriends IN WRITING (Oh, & agree to SPLIT expenses- don't "share them"... -THAT way you'll only get stuck with what YOU owe...). Good luck.
2007-08-23 10:13:42 · answer #7 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can definately sue him and easily win. Make sure you have all your reciepts for the things that you paid in full, and dates on them. Take him to small claims court.All you need is his name , and if you have his social then they will find him and sepena him.
2007-08-23 10:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by roth299 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
keep all the receipts and dates of incidents. if he is on the lease, he is responsible for the costs as well. if you got a roommate after he left, then he is only responsible until you found a roommate to take care of those expenses.
2007-08-23 10:02:51 · answer #9 · answered by lilith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can take him to court and see if you can get him to pay, if you find him! I am sure his parents, or at least a sibling, if he has any, knows where he is!
I guess you learned a valuable lesson!
2007-08-23 10:03:42 · answer #10 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋