Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Illinois

I am in Illinois. A friend offered to board some animals for free. This was a verbal agreement. After the 10 days of boarding time, that person tried to charge for the boarding and miscellaneous vet bills that were not approved. The original free boarding is coming with a $1600.00 price tag now. Also, that person is trying to charge interest for the amount that was supposedly charged. There is no signed agreement for fees, or interest. They are threatening to go to court. This person is not a lender, and does not have anything signed. What are the Illinois laws regarding this issue? Should it go to court? Does anybody owe money in this situation? Permission was never granted for the unnecessary vet bills.


Asked on 1/03/11, 10:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

In Illinois we have what is called a statute of frauds, meaning certain contracts are not enforceable unless they are in writing. Any contract for goods or services over $500 is one such contract type. Assuming the "friend" can prove a contract at all, he might be limited to $500. However even a friend doing a favor does not want to get stuck with vet bills, and a court could order "equitable" reimbursement if the reasonable thing to have done while the animal was being housed was to take the animal to the vet. You might want to check with the vet as to what was done and why, so you are in a better position to defend your position if the "friend" decides to take this to court.

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Answered on 1/08/11, 11:03 am


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