a friend of mine lost somthing value (over 7 thousand dollars). She said she would work towards paying it off, but havent heard from her in weeks (she lives out of state in fl). I wrote her a letter asking her some concrtete details about when she would be making payments( I never threatened to sue) about 2 weeks ago. Today, a lawyers left a message on my voicemail from her city. What could this be
2007-12-12 13:02:28 · 27 answers · asked by amazonprincess707 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
*to clear the question up, Im assuming she thinks Im trying to sue her based on the letter I sent her (it wasnt threatening at all, just asking her when she was going to make arrangements)
**would she try to sue me to say she dosent owe me anything?!
2007-12-12 13:12:37 · update #1
**I googled the voicemail name and number, hes a lawyer specializing in debt collections...
2007-12-12 13:19:21 · update #2
Never trust a lawyer that is not on your side!
2007-12-12 13:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by LUCKY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you NEVER EVER EVER threaten to sue or take legal action against someone. You can DO it, not threaten it.
Its fine to write a letter asking for concrete details about how she intends to repay you as long as everything was politely worded, as if your lawyer had written it, not
You better damn well tell me when you plan to pay me back *****!!
You can end your letter with something like , If you should fail to provide the requested payment details, or commence repayment no later than such and such a date, I may be required to take whatever action is deemed necessary to recover the amounts owing to me.
Sincerely,
not sure what the lawyer could want. Typically lawyers
send notices in writing, they don't call people. Like poppidad says, find out who this lawyer is, and make sure he IS a lawyer in the manner he advised. No matter who you are speaking to, stay Calm.
2007-12-12 13:17:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure it's a lawyer? Most likely it is a lawyer, or someone pretending to be a lawyer, wanting you to stop bothering the person in Florida. Make a call. It won't hurt to find out what's up, but don't expect a settlement offer.
Google the telephone number. If it's from an attorney, it should be from a land line in the office? Google will tell you whose number it is. Before talking to the lawyer, ask the "lawyer" for his/her name, business address, business telephone, and Florida Bar Association number. The bar association number, must by law, be furnished when asked.
Listen to any offer, but you can say you want to talk it over with your attorney. If he threatens you, hang up.
2007-12-12 13:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by poppidad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call them back and find out.
Don't be afraid of lawyers. I'm in law school and there are a bunch of bozos there, trust me. If she has retained a lawyer (HIGHLY unlikely-- I mean, lawyers want to get paid. There would be no reason to pay a lawyer unless you're getting sued or trying to sue someone.), it's probably something to do with asking you to stop contacting her-- like harassment or something. There's only so much you can do towards trying to collect a debt. The law is very specific about that. You may be forced to stop contacting her, in which case it seems like you'll have to take her to court.
Keep in mind, she'll only be responsible for the fair market value of whatever she lost. It's called "conversion," for when you speak to the lawyer. Tell the lawyer this person converted your chattel (pronounced "chat-tul," not "shatel") and you are entitled to a forced sale now and if she won't pony up, will you be seeing him in court?
2007-12-12 13:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but if your friend has a lawyer the lawyer offering the settlement should consult your attorney first. A settlement can be beneficial.
Your friend may not recoup all of their losses, but to a certain extent a settlement is a form of admitting guilt. Depending on the nature of the lawsuit, your friend may want to take it to court, but at the same time if it's a big enough settlement, your friend can take the money. There is always a chance the jury may not side in your favor, it's a calculated risk, Its like poker, you have to know when you can bluff successfully.
2007-12-12 13:12:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lawyer could try to settle, but don't let the lawyer ask a lot of questions without your lawyer present. As a matter of fact, it would be best if you just gave her lawyer the phone number for your lawyer so her lawyer (or the person pretending to be her lawyer!) would not be able to try and threaten or urge you to do something that is not in your best interest. Her lawyer is hired to make the best deal for her - not you - so you should have them talk to your lawyer so you are not cheated.
2007-12-12 13:07:54 · answer #6 · answered by Amy R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you threaten her in the letter? Sounds kinda weird that a Lawyer called you.
If I was you...
just file a complaint in small claims court.
I would not talk to that Lawyer, ignore his calls. If he wants to deal with you...
he should do it in writing. What the hell is he doing calling you anyway? First of all, you are in the RIGHT!
This is why people SHOULD NEVER LOAN OUT MONEY TO FRIENDS/FAMILY! If they don't pay...
it damages the relationship. The relationship is more important to me, so I WILL ALWAYS SAY NO when friends and fam ask me to borrow money!
2007-12-12 13:08:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most lawyers, will not just ''call' you...don't get too worried, and don't respond...If you had first gotten a lawyer, and I recommend that you now go that route if you and her can't see eye to eye on things, and let him/her do the negotiating from now on.. I don't know what your friend 'lost',...but this is a matter that is best answered in court. Do not respond to any one who claims to be an attorney...they usually write you first, with an official letter head, and then advise you to call...
2007-12-12 13:07:22 · answer #8 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your undesirable mum. i'm a debt collector in New Zealand and that i belive it fairly is desperate by the place you reside however the final regulations in New Zealand go that from sending you a letter straight away from the legal experts company that is going to visit a debt sequence company. they'll then attempt to touch you to establish a charge association with you( this must be known via the corporate) in case you're able the place you could discover the money for decrease than what they like you should be supplied what's called a assertion of skill which you fill out to assert what you recieve and what else you should pay. from there they could allow you to handle smaller money and then the money would be reviewed. If no charge association is taken into then particular they are able to have courtroom information drawn up yet whilst it finally ends up going to courtroom the courtroom in many cases verify your funds an identical way as in a assertion of skill and that they'll concern you an order to pay besides the undeniable fact that lots they think of you could discover the money for and the corporate must be pleased with that because of the fact it fairly is a judges ruling. desire this helps, in case you have any questions your appropriate wager is to flow to a loose community criminal expert. they are able to have the skill to allow you to be attentive to the way it fairly is on your area. good success and save persisting
2016-11-03 02:12:39 · answer #9 · answered by dieng 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone threatened to sue me, I hired a lawyer and found out that the only person that had a valid argument in court was my wife and I. We had our attorney contact their attorney and he told them to drop everything or face a lawsuit that would really sting. They did!!
The best way is to call the number and find out.
2007-12-12 13:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by Randy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can. But call the lawyer back and see what the want for sure. If you dont like what they have to say or feel uncomfortable, you tell that lawyer that you will get back to them after consulting yours. Whether you have one or not.
2007-12-12 13:06:53 · answer #11 · answered by kisykiss40 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋