[Daniella]

My roommate and I decided to break our lease. The leasing office gave us 30 days to pay the full amount to break the lease or to set up payment arrangements to do so. I made payment arrangements with the leasing office to pay the amount but my roommate did not so the account was sent to collections. The collections company contacted each of us separately to with a settlement amount. My roommate paid her half of the settlement but I haven't because I do not have the money yet. My roommate is now suing me for my half of the settlement even though she only paid her half and none of mine. Can she do this legally or does the collections company have to sue me for the balance. I am expecting some money in about a month and I do plan to pay the balance.

[aaron]

If you have agreed to pay the balance, or have done so (and can establish that agreement in court), the court probably won't find much of an issue in your ex-roommate's claim for contribution, as your payment toward settlement of the claim would be equal to hers.