Money lent to a friend not returned? How to recover it
You helped someone out: a friend, a cousin, a colleague. The money was supposed to come back. Now every reminder feels like it is costing you the relationship as well as the money. That awkwardness is exactly why these loans go unpaid for years. You can recover it, and usually without things turning ugly.
Money you lent is a debt, written down or not
Money lent with an understanding that it would be returned is a debt, whether or not you wrote anything down. Written proof makes it much easier. But even without a formal agreement, messages, bank transfers and a pattern of promises to repay can establish that the money was a loan and not a gift.
The steps, in order
- Collect your proof: the bank transfer or a record of cash given, and any messages where they accept the loan or promise to repay. Those messages are strong evidence.
- Ask clearly, in writing, one last time. Give the amount and a specific date. Be firm but calm. Sometimes putting it plainly in writing is what works.
- Send a formal demand notice if that is ignored. A proper letter shows you are serious in a way a WhatsApp message does not.
- Civil recovery is the step after that, and knowing it exists often changes how they respond.
When a notice is worth it
If the friendly reminders are over, a well-written demand notice is usually what changes things. Miss Lucy Lite explains where you stand free of cost, and she can write that notice for you as a finished document, with the correct wording and a clear deadline.
Not sure whether what you have counts as enough proof? Tell Miss Lucy Lite the details and she will help you judge it.
Ask about your own situation
Tell Miss Lucy Lite what happened, in your own words. She tells you your rights and what to do next. Free.
Sign up free