monet

I think you need to call a few small law firms to see if they are willing to handle the case. Contingent fee basis would be your best choice (approximately 1/3 of the judgment goes to the lawyer). Don't call big law firms as they do not take this type of cases. Try the ones that can handle contract disputes (even though you had no contract). A good firm would not normally take your case just to make money. A good firm will always evaluate your side of story and take the case if they think (1) there is a good chance to win and (2) the defendant has money to pay up.

Given pig's past history, try not to pay the lawyers out of your pocket first (except for necessary court fees, for which most lawyers will bill you). I think contingent fee basis is the best choice for you. In addition, you/your lawyer can always try to recover legal fees from pig.

What a lawyer will normally do first is to send a lawyer's letter to the potential defendant and threat legal action if he does not pay you back. This letter will probably cost US$200 - 500 I guess. Hopefully the letter will do the job (it worked for me in one of my only personal experience -- the guy wrote me a check after seeing the lawyer's letter).

As for his past history, it is very helpful for netotiation and trial. Those incidents go directly to his character. Bear in mind that you may get questions directed to yourself when you bring up his history. If I were pig's lawyer, I would say you are just as irresponsible as pig is. After all, you knew about this and still loved him and gave him money? Perhaps you had no intention to get it back at all.

Another issue is where to bring up the action. To the extent you can, bring the action from courts in your state. But don't worry about this issue for now. Your lawyer will be able to handle this.

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• Thx again from deeply inside my heart. -laughorcry- ♀ (486 bytes) () 09/18/2006 postreply 13:45:24