Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    1xerxes's Avatar
    1xerxes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 13, 2017, 03:30 PM
    How to track someone down to file a claim against them?
    I loaned a friend money a while ago and they haven't made any attempt to pay. The only thing I have that's current is their cell. If I file will the courts track him down? He says he'said working on it when we do text. I don't want to ask directly because it will become more difficult to serve him.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 13, 2017, 03:33 PM
    Do you have a signed IOU?
    1xerxes's Avatar
    1xerxes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 13, 2017, 03:41 PM
    No but I have all of the text messages. I've also sent a letter of demand via certified mail, which he received. I put the amounts and dates, all of which were acknowledged.
    talaniman's Avatar
    talaniman Posts: 54,325, Reputation: 10855
    Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jul 13, 2017, 05:52 PM
    Check your small claims court in your location. They can certainly advise you of their policy and procedure to file a claim. If your certified letters got to him, chances are he will be reached somehow through the US postal service.

    Ask the courts or a clerk in the court.*

    *I assume this is a small claims matter, correct me if I'm wrong.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jul 13, 2017, 06:46 PM
    And with that, no the court does not "track" them down, You will need to provide a valid address for him to be served,
    1xerxes's Avatar
    1xerxes Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Jul 13, 2017, 07:15 PM
    The new tenant at his old apt had the landlord forward that letter. I guess I'll just have, worst case I may need to look into a PI to find him. I'm going to see a lawyer as well to see what my other options are. Thanks for the help
    talaniman's Avatar
    talaniman Posts: 54,325, Reputation: 10855
    Expert
    		  
    #7

    Jul 14, 2017, 12:32 AM
    Consulting a lawyer never hurts but there is much you can browse and get some insights. Such as this sight

    5 Ways to Serve Court Papers - wikiHow

    Or NOLO.com. Be aware that getting a judgement, and collecting are two different processes. Laws vary by state.
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
    		  
    #8

    Jul 14, 2017, 08:46 AM
    You are probibly going to find the work and expense this is going to take is likely to equal or exceed the amount you are out by violating the most important thing... you don't loan money to people you can't afford to never get back.

    This is one of the reasons we have the saying, no good deed goes unpunished.

    But I hope you do manage to get it back in the end. Serving them is only part of it..getting the judgement is maybe the easiest part, you will have your work cut out for you actually collecting however, and that will be the hardest part of all.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #9

    Jul 15, 2017, 06:56 AM
    You can send a letter return receipt which will show the address the mail was delivered to. However, that won't work if they remailed it. You can ask the court to issue a summons to the old landlord to reveal the forwarding address.

    But you are going to have do the leg work. The courts won't do it for you.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Track quick claim deed [ 4 Answers ]

I am divorced a I want to make sure she does not sign my name to on a qucik claim deed. How do I track that? Eric Van Horn

How can I file a claim on the following injury? [ 5 Answers ]

I fell and tripped on uneven pavement while walking to a restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I tore both tendons in both my knees and I am scheduled to have surgery to repair the damage. Can I sue the city for neglecting the repair of their street?

Can I claim 5 kids and file jointly w/sp. Or do I allow ex to claim 2? [ 1 Answers ]

I am married with 5 children, my ex husband wants to claim 2 of my kids, does it benefit me to claim 5 kidsand file jointly with my now husband or should I just let my ex claim the other 2 kids?

File a claim [ 15 Answers ]

Dear everyone, I sold a book on half. eBay. The receiver contacted me saying the envelope arrived without the book, it was an empty envelope! He said he has contacted the post office and try to find out it they lost it. He then said didn't find it, it wan't post office's fault, it was...

How to file a claim with out a lawyer [ 5 Answers ]

We bought a home in 2004. We were told it would take 6-8 months to build, but in the contract it says within reasonable time which was 24 months. So we figured OK about 8 -12 months 15 months tops. Well we checked every weekend for 12months and not even 1 brick was laid. At the time homes were...

View more questions Search