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Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate

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  • 01-23-2011, 07:49 PM
    whit0785
    Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    My question involves small claims court in the state of: Minnesota.

    A former roommate of mine has cost me well over 10,000 dollars in various forms. It started when we had a falling out and I got verbal confirmation from the landlord that I could be released from the lease. The roommate changed the locks. A year later I was sued by the former landlord for back rent and utilities totalling about 5,000- which has been fully paid. I found out not too long after that, the roommate used my social security number and info to list me as a co-signer for a student loan. He has failed to pay anything and I am being threatened with court action.

    Is there a way for me to recoup the monies lost even though almost 5 years has passed? I have struggled financially due to the burden of this former roommate's debts and recouping that money would relieve a great deal of that burden.
  • 01-23-2011, 07:57 PM
    jk
    Re: Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    have you ever reported the criminal action to the police? If not, chances anybody will believe it was fraudulent drops drastically.

    as to the money on the rental; maybe but depends how long ago this happened would depend on a lot of specifics of the situation.
  • 01-23-2011, 08:19 PM
    whit0785
    Re: Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    Quote:

    Quoting jk
    View Post
    have you ever reported the criminal action to the police? If not, chances anybody will believe it was fraudulent drops drastically.

    as to the money on the rental; maybe but depends how long ago this happened would depend on a lot of specifics of the situation.

    I was not aware of the Student Loan until well after it happened, what makes it harder for many I have told to believe, is that I paid it for the better part of a year thinking it was mine, as I had several of my own from the same company.

    As for the rental, I lived in that location in 2006 and the judgement against me happened in 2007.

    This is the primary reason why I am at a loss for what to do.
  • 01-23-2011, 08:34 PM
    jk
    Re: Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    you may still be able to sue for the rental situation under a breach of contract claim, presuming your facts support such a claim.


    as to the student loan thing; you should be able to sue for payments you made on his behalf even if you had co-signed.

    From what I see, Minnesota has a $7500 limit on small claims so you would have to make this two separate actions to be able to claim each fully.

    Of course, winning in court gives you a judgment. You still have to collect on the judgment.
  • 01-23-2011, 08:52 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    To be clear, jk means one lawsuit for the student loan and a second, separate lawsuit for the roommate issues - not two identical lawsuits each claiming half of the damages.
  • 01-23-2011, 09:02 PM
    jk
    Re: Debt Incurred from a Former Roommate
    yes. thanks for making that clear Mr. K.
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