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It's so easy for me to sit upon my high horse and tell all the deadbeats we get here to PAY their debts....... Yeah, easy when it’s THEIR money I’m talking about. Of course, they only come to us when they're being sued or a hassled about it. What would you advise someone to do, who has an old debt, and is NOT being hassled about it?
Yes, it's me, and this is MY money. I never finished paying off my divorce lawyer (mid 80's). He didn't hassle me about it at all. I still owe him, and I can pay him now. I don't want to sit down and refigure my bill, and look like a good guy. I probably CAN'T pay it with interest added, anyway. But, I can give him a couple grand.
I was thinking about just dropping by his office and leaving a check. But, I don't really know what the bill was/is. Does it matter? Well, of course it does. But, after so long, wouldn't he just consider this found money? Is this a can of worms better left unopened? Can I drop off a check and walk away with a clear conscience???? Am I nuts to even consider it?
excon
PS> Nahhh, I owe him, what I owe him and not a penny less - I think.
If I was you, and I felt that guilt yet I could afford to pay into it, I would write a check...however much would release me from the guilt- whether it was the full amount, half... whatever I could afford yet feel like I could get away with...haha.
I would write a letter saying that I came through with some money, the debt has been on my mind and I wanted to pay what I could in hopes that it is not too late.... something to say this is all I can afford, please accept this as a token of my gratitude for not taking me to the hungry credit collectors...
But then again, I just re-read your post....and well 20 years is a LONG time... he has probably forgotten it, or it was not a sufficient amount to fight for at the time, and letting it go would be a pretty good idea too...haha.
A few years back my grandma bought me an emergency flight home for my brothers funeral, it was about $700, and while it was assumed she was taking care of it, I still plan on paying it back to her. I feel too guilty taking money from my grandma when I am making so much now...
I would send the attorney a letter saying something like:
I know I never paid you in full for your services in handling my divorce. At the time I just didn't have the money. I think you understood that and I appreciate your consideration in not pursuing the balance.
Since I'm in a position where I can afford more, I hope you will accept the enclosed check to settle any balance I owe.
I had a tenant once who skipped out on his last month's rent. Several years later, he showed up out of the blue and paid it. That was at least 25 years ago, and to this day, I hold him in high regard for doing it.
I'd say pay it. There's very little chance he'll try to collect interest and penalties, and you both will feel better about it.
Yes, I say pay it as well. You will feel better. Now before you do, is there a way to get free legal advice? Perhaps there is some sort of legal letter that is already in place for situations such as these.
The guy sounds like a good guy and doubt very much he would pursue interest and penalties. To me, your clear conscious is worth the remote risk.
If this avenue doesn’t work, I do like the charity suggestion.
Excon, I say go for it. Write the letter, enclose the check and get a good nights rest
Your letter could read something like:
During a recent audit of my financial paperwork, I discovered that there was a balance remaining for services received. As a result, please accept this check to satisfy this existing balance.
By golly, I think you may have hit upon something. I laughed when I saw Excon as the signature to my letter. But, then I thought - yeah, I can do this anonymously.
I don't like the charity angle. Although unburdening myself of the money may satisfy MY conscience, it does nothing for HIS bank account, and THAT'S where the debit is.
But a money order, signed by "John Doe", might do the trick. Of course, he wouldn't be able to reconcile his books because he wouldn't know where it came from. He'll still think I’M a deadbeat. And, does THAT matter? Do I need HIM to think well of me?
It's so much easier to figure out other peoples stuff, and tell them what to do.
The let’s try it this way. Allheart comes to her good friend Excon.
So Excon, it seems I have this outstanding debt from many moons again. I now have the funds to cover it, and the guy I owe it to, has never called, never sent me a letter and really took care of me when I needed him.
I really would like to pay this debt, but I fear that if I do, I may be opening up a can of worms.
My dear Excon, I really need to tap in to that incredible wisdom that you posses. What should Allheart do?. Should I pay this debt or not? If I pay this debt, how do I go about doing so.
Hee hee. Did it help any. What would you tell me Excon?
Honestly, Excon, I really think you should go ahead and pay. It’s what you are fighting within yourself to do, it is what you want to do. Follow those great instincts that you have. No, I wouldn’t do it hiding under a blanket, that’s not your style, plus you want to be sure the debt is officially cleared.
I thought of the 'gee I just realized I owe you' approach and its a valid one. Personally I would prefer thanking him for his forebearance. This goes along with the concept of Pay It Forward. By using that tactic, the next time he has a client where he knows money is tight he is more likely to give them some slack figuring they will pay when they can.
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