[hayleybrown25]

I leant £2000 of my friend a while ago, she explained I could pay her back whatever I could afford and when I could afford to, I have struggled with my finances for a while. She has now told me I most pay her £100 month back else she will see me in court, there is no legal documents on the loan or proof it ever happened, and I have offered to pay her back an amount suitable to me till my finances are sorted then I can pay more, can she take me to court?

[Curlyben]

Yes she can, but getting a judgement is another issue entirely.

[joypulv]

Anybody can sue anybody. Whether they will win or lose is another matter.
Small Claims courts are FULL of friends and ex lovers who have loaned money without documentation, and how it is handled depends on the judge and the character and demeanor of the parties involved.
I'm sorry but I don't find your situation sympathetic.
A friend does anything and everything to give back an amount every month. It sounds like you just kept letting it slide with the excuse that your finances aren't 'sorted?' Sort them! Show some integrity. Start right now with the first payment. Cancel your internet and sell your computer if you have to.

[Alty]

Have you made a good faith effort to make payments on this loan? Is she rich that she can afford to go without this money while you get your finances settled?

Can she sue you? Yes. Will she win? Depends on the judge. If you make her take it that far, I hope she wins.

My main issue is that you have the money for a computer, internet, but you claim to be struggling financially. She loaned you this money. How long is she supposed to wait to get it back? She was a good enough friend to do this, now be a good friend and do the right thing, pay her back, even if you have to do without a few luxuries for a while!

I always find it amazing that people beg for their friends to help them out, but they aren't willing to do the responsible thing and pay those friends back. She should be your top priority, because she went above and beyond for a friend.

Sadly you aren't much of a friend to her, otherwise this wouldn't be an issue. :(

[Alty]

I have to add a little story.

Around 10 years ago I came into an inheritance. At that time my cousin was not doing so well, needed a vehicle, and I had my moms car (only 1 year old, less than 10,000km). I could have sold it for over $20,000, but my cousin was in desperate times, so I sold it to him for $13,000, and told him to start paying me back when his wife was done nursing school and working. In other words, when his finances got better.

Years went by, and not one penny from them. Then I hear that they just got back from a cruise, bought a new trailer, a new quad for their son. Well, isn't that nice? Instead of paying me what they owe me, they're out living the high life.

At that time things were not going so well for us. I called him, told him that it was long past time to start paying for the car.

He said "I thought it was a gift!".

Thankfully I had it all in writing, but he still protested, didn't want to pay. He then said that the car was getting old and he didn't think it was worth $13,000. Duh! It was 5 years later. His wife drove that car everywhere. I didn't sell them a 5 year old car with over 100,000km on it. I sold them a new car with under 10,000km on it. Pay up!

Thankfully we got it solved. He started paying, only $200/month, but something is better than nothing. He made a few large sum payments and I got my money.

But he reminds me of you. You were all grateful to get the money, but now that you have it, and spent it, you can't be bothered to pay it back!

By the way. My cousin and I used to be close. We used to see each other all the time. His family and mine would get together every week. Now we don't talk anymore. Not because of me. He won't talk to me because he's mad that I made him pay me the money he owed me.

Lesson learned. I'll never lend money to anyone again, and from now on, if I sell something, it's cash up front, no payments, no deals.

I hope your friend has learned her lesson.

[joypulv]

Write on! Good story. You got it in writing, even from a relative.