Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

sue

if i had a verbal agreement with a friend to share cell phone plans to split the bill and the person never says and owes me $600 can i take legal action


Asked on 6/04/09, 10:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

David Gibbs The Gibbs Law Firm, APC

Re: sue

You can sue on a verbal agreement, but proof is going to be a potential problem. The fact that you each have a phone on that plan is going to help you prove the intention of the agreement - not many judges will buy a claim by the other party that you offered to give them the cell phone for free, but do be prepared to prove that you have been paying the bill. Small claims court is the place to file something like this.

I often tell clients who ask "can I sue" that anyone can sue anybody for anything they want. It takes some paperwork and some money, but otherwise nobody is going to stop you from FILING a lawsuit. Winning a lawsuit is a whole other matter. You certainly have what would appear to be a decent claim, but ultimately a judge will decide the case on the evidence presented, so go into this well prepared. Finally, have you made a formal demand for the money, and/or turned off the deadbeat's phone?

*Due to the limitations of the LawGuru Forums, The Gibbs Law Firm, APC's (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided is general and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.

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Answered on 6/05/09, 12:46 pm


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