So, turning 18 means you don't have to repay your debts?

[writerwench]

He ran up a debt of £480 with my daughter last summer, in Bochum. Promised faithfully to repay it, in full, the INSTANT he could.

Come November, he changed his tune - quite possibly assisted by someone well known as an unscrupulous, dishonest little snake, who is his 'best mate' on another blogging site - and started blustering, accusing my daughter of ridiculous things, trying to wriggle out of repayment. So I posted here on the matter.

His mother weighed in - had been pointed in the direction of this LJ by Someone.
In accordance with her wishes, I removed previous posts on this subject. Daughter complied with other demands made on her by the debtor and his mother. We didn't have to, but we did, in order to be as civilised as possible about this matter.

Repayment of the amount owed by monthly payments of £20 each was agreed, to start in January 07.

And hey, guess what.

You're five months in arrears, buster.

He hasn't made a single payment.

Legally, the debt is between my daughter and his mother, as he was 17 and a minor at the time he incurred the debt - but apparently without her knowledge and consent, er well that's not our problem actually. The debt is legally valid, it's money my daughter NEEDED for the run-up to Christmas and had to do without. Unfortunately, she's not feeling emotionally strong enough to deal with the recovery of the money herself - her emotional state makes her very reluctant to assert her rights in situations like this, and she's very easily intimidated by angry, loud, wordy people. As our debtor is well aware.

However, there are ways around this nasty situation. Internet-based ways. It won't just be forgotten, you can bet on that.

Comments

[professoryackle.livejournal.com]

Stating the bleedin' obvious, but small claims court?

[writerwench.livejournal.com]

My daughter would have to issue the proceedings, which she doesn't feel up to doing. Things like this make her sick with anger/terror.

However, the mother naturally enough was furious that her son had run up this huge debt without asking her permission, although he was 17 at the time... and I think she'd fight hard to prove that the debt was invalid on those grounds. Although having agreed that repayment was due, she can be construed to have accepted the validity of the debt... but she's a nice woman, I don't want to be horrible to or about her.

It's her stupid son that needs a damn good kicking up the arse. He promised to repay, and has defaulted on that promise. I don't suppose we'll ever see that money again - they'll none of them be able or willing to afford to pay it back - but it will Not Go Forgotten.

[adriftinthefog.livejournal.com]

I once took somebody to the small claims court. I was a bit concerned about this, because the guy was a silver tongued liar and, to be fair, rather more charming than me. In the event, he just ignored the whole thing, I got a judgement in my favour without turning up in court. He still wouldn't pay, so I sent the bailiffs in to his office, at which point he coughed up. It took a while, but I got my money. He disappeared without trace not long after owing a large amount of money.
Some people might consider your daughter an evil bread head for trying to get her money back. I don't have much sympathy with that outlook, but I guess it does depend on the relative value of the money + justice against the stress of extracting it as to whether it's worth proceeding.

[writerwench.livejournal.com]

It's an option, but as I'd be taking that action against the little charmer's mother, who is actually very nice, I'm reluctant. If the debt was in his name, as an adult, I'd have a bankruptcy charge against him pronto.


No, I'm taking alternative action, which I'm assured is perfectly legal so long as the situation lasts... and which will remain in place until/unless my daughter is repaid.

We Aspies work slow, but we work mighty devious and effectively.

[dogsbody01.livejournal.com]

I feel bad for your daughter.It's almost a pity, that debtor's can't be arrested and jailed;until they've paid up.

[writerwench.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Yes... he said some amazingly hurtful things to her, as well, which I won't detail here. And he was such a NICE young lad before he left school.

[dogsbody01.livejournal.com]

Why is it,that it's always the ones whom seem like their nice and decent;which always end up stabbing people in the back?
Rhetorical question.

[writerwench.livejournal.com]

Yup. He's quite bright, and insecure in himself, so is very good at adapting his manners to please whomever he wants to 'fit in' with - hence the shock when he 'turns'.

[dogsbody01.livejournal.com]

Yup. He's quite bright, and insecure in himself, so is very good at adapting his manners to please whomever he wants to 'fit in' with - hence the shock when he 'turns'.What you said,reminds me of that movie; with Matt Damon and Judd Law "The Talented Mister Ripley."
Because isn't that what the main character, was more or less;a manipulative charmer?

[writerwench.livejournal.com]

Yup, exactly so.