Breach of Contract

[FishOutOfWater]

My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Massachusetts.

I made a personal loan to a friend about 5 years ago for around $3000. I have a signed contract. The party has not returned any correspondence in years and I would like to know where to begin so I can recoup the debt.

Which court do I contact? (The small claims jurisdiction limit is $2000 in MA.)

I haven't been able to find statute of limitation information for MA regarding personal loans.

Would I need a lawyer (or debt collection agency) or can I represent myself?

Thank you for any and all replies.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you wish to litigate, you sue in small claims and give up part of your claims, or you sue in a regular trial court. If you sue in a regular trial court, you need to either figure out how to file a complaint and represent yourself or you need to hire a lawyer - but that's unlikely to be worth it for so small a claim. If you find a collection agency that is willing to try to enforce the debt based upon whatever contract you have, and I'm not optimistic that one will, you can certainly have them try to collect - but you should expect them to take about 50% of any recovery in fees.

You're about to bump into the six year statute of limitations, that probably applies to your claim.

[FishOutOfWater]

Thank you for the reply.