Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Reimbursement on a purchase for someone else.

I bought a computer on my credit card for a family member who only paid back 2/3 of the amount and hasn't made a payment in 10 months, therefore accumulating the late fees on my credit card to almost to what the full total of the loan was in the first place. I have contacted them several times to retrieve the rest, and receive response saying they will eventually pay the last payments but not the interest/late fees, but I still haven't recieived any payment. Can I take them to court for the rest of the moneies owed and the interest that has accumulated?


Asked on 8/10/00, 12:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Hawes Hawes & Associates

Re: Reimbursement on a purchase for someone else.

As a general proposition, you can file suit against anybody, anytime, for anything. But I suspect that doesn't satisfy your real concern, since, presumably, you'd like to win the suit and avoid sanctions and counterclaims filed against you for having filed a frivilous suit.

You indicated that you feel the family member owes you money but you weren't really clear on why. Did you make an agreement with that person, a loan? Was there an agreement as to reimbursement of interest and late charges? Why didn't you pay those things off, anyway? Isn't it your fault you've run up interest charges after you loaned your relative the money?

Sure, you could file suit. But you'll spend a lot of time and possibly money angering your family member, and others in your family who'll sympathize with him, for not much return. My advice is to pay off the balance and get your credit in order and get as much as you can from that family member. Call it even and never trust that person again.

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Answered on 9/14/00, 8:10 am


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