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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.
It's very honorable to want to pay of an old debt - especially one from 20 years ago.
If you have a personal relationship with the guy and he's willing to accept your payment as a "make good" gesture, go ahead. It would make you feel good to know you've paid off a debt.
If you drop in out of the blue and ask to "pay your bill", there's too much potential for him to add up interest charges and penalties that could quickly multiply the amount you owe. Once you make a payment, you are basically acknowledging that.
Perhaps you can call and ask him about it? He may be a lawyer, but hopefully he is also a decent person.
What I would do it get a copy of your credit report. If it is on there than pay the amount shown. If it is not on there then I would go about my business and not worry about it. Chances are he wrote you balance off and forgot about it. If he really wanted his money he would have contacted you and if that didn't work put it on your credit report.
It's not there. He didn't try to collect. It's over 20 years ago, anyway. Negative stuff on your credit report falls off after 7 years, and it never was there. Nope. He didn't file a law suit, no letters, no phone calls, no collection agency.
Since the SOL most likely has ran out on this, he can not legally collect from you untill you make an action on this, so by paying "part" of his total bill, you are now acknowleging the debt, which means if he has legal interest, late charges and the such, now you can legally owe it because you make a payment on the debt.
I am sorry but from a legal standpoint, no, don't pay it.
** can't beleive I am saying that either but best legal opinion
Depending on your personal code of ethics, you may feel wrong about having the money that you shouldn't have. Since you can't be sure that he'll accept this as payment in full, and partial payment would open you up to action, you should find another way to reconcile your personal balance sheet: Donate the money you aren't supposed to have to a worthy charity, maybe something related to the cause of the debt. Oh, and don't claim the tax deduction for that particular donation.
Your lawyer is already satisfied because the money left his balance sheet at least 15 years ago. Your conscience will be clear because you've put your questionable money to a socially-responsible cause.
This is what I would do, but I hold myself to a ridiculously high standard on this sort of thing
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