Friend or family member won't repay a loan
Personal loan not repaid
Money lent to friends or family can be hard to recover. Clear records that it was a loan, not a gift, matter most.
Common evidence
- Any written agreement, note, or IOU
- Bank transfers or payment-app records
- Texts or emails mentioning repayment
- Partial repayments received
Potential next steps
- Write a timeline of the loan and any repayments.
- Ask for repayment in writing with a reasonable deadline.
- Consider whether a payment plan would work.
- Check your state's deadline for this type of claim.
Limitations to check
- Verbal-agreement deadlines are often shorter than written ones.
- Small-claims dollar limits, deadlines, and filing rules differ by state and court. Confirm them with your official court source.
- Some contracts require arbitration or another process first. Read your agreement before filing.
- Sueify provides general information and organization tools, not legal advice.
FAQs
There's no written agreement. Can I still ask?
Possibly. Messages and transfers can help show the loan existed. Courts decide what evidence is enough.