Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania

My sister lent me $1500 in August of '08. I have since paid back the debt. Since then, her husband has been harassing me via email. I notified the police, and they contacted him, telling him to cease contacting me. Because of this, my sister is now claiming that I never repaid the debt and is threatening legal action. We did not have an agreement on repayment, and it is now her word against mine. How would this play out in court?


Asked on 4/21/11, 11:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Next time, get a repayment agreement in writing. I know its your sister, but there needs to be a written agreement to protect everyone.

Do you have any proof that you repaid the debt such as money orders or cancelled checks?

How did you repay? When were the payments made?

If you have proof, I would send a letter to your sister via UPS/FedEx (with certified, they can refuse) and send copies of the payments. If you paid by cash, remind her that the payments were made and give approximate dates. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself.

I don't know what you mean by the fact that your sister's husband is "harassing" you. Its not harassment to ask for payment of a valid debt. However, if he is doing more than that, then it may indeed be harassment. I would need to see what he said to know for sure.

If you live in PA, then your sister must sue you in small claims court. She can sue you in regular court, but that is going to cost her money. She may not want to pay a lawyer for what it will cost.

If she sues in small claims court, then its going to be your word against hers, unless there is some other factor involved (like you have written proof of her payment or her husband is golfing buddies with the judge).

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Answered on 4/21/11, 2:33 pm


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