I have a small claims being filed against me for furniture that was given to my apartment as house warming gifts; from my x boyfriends mother when we were living together. The relationship ended badly he was violent abusive and I had to call the cops to remove him. He was also on parole and still is. His mother is the one filing the small claims for the furniture. The situation is that my x violated lease terms and still owes a balance to the landlord and damage fees for his violent acts when living here. How do I go to court and fight back for that money he still owes. I don't mind returning the furniture but I also would like to be treated fairly in return and get my money back too that he still owes. How do I go about this where I can at least keep the furniture fair and square because of what he owes and what he did to settle it or fight for the money and return the furniture all in the same case I'm going for that she filed. ANY ADVICE PLLEASE GIVE

You have to file a countersuit to recover any money you are owed. On the other hand, unless his parents can prove the furniture was loaned, they may not be able to recover it.