Recent Feedback
I recently broke up with my girlfriend and moved out of her house (she owns the house). All of a sudden she began making outrageous claims that I owe her thousands of dollars for unpaid rent, money that she loaned me, etc. Most of these claims are false and there are certainly no binding legal contracts between us. I am not some unemployed deadbeat who lived off of her. I have a good job and I pay MY bills & debts. I paid her $2,000 to shut her up, but she claims I owe her $3,500 more. Could she take me to court over this? Does she have a legal leg to stand on? Should I retain a civil attorney? Thank you!
DearCustomer- Based on your facts you owe her nothing and probably shouldn't have paid the first $2000 since that could be used as evidence that you did, in fact, owe something. In any event I cannot guarantee that she can't file a suit since anyone can sue for anything. Her chances of success are slim and none.
This is obviously someone who is upset at the breakup of a relationship and wants revenge. If there was no rental agreement she has no basis to claim rent anymore than you would have a right to claim some type of ownership of her house since you lived there.
If she sues you will have to defend the action however if it is a Small Claims case you can act on a pro se basis since a lawyer may cost more than the claim for damages. She really has no legal basis for a suit. Your defense to any action should include "accord and satisfaction" because of the $2000 payment.
Dave Kennett
Experience: 25 years experience in general law, including real estate, criminal, traffic, and domestic relations