Can I place a lien for unpaid cell phone bills?

Full question:

How can I place a lien on someone either against their assets or just have the lien filed so the person cannot acquire a credit card or obtain a loan? I had a verbal agreement with this person that they would reimburse me for payment made on their cell phone account. The amount I am owed is approx. $350.00 and to date the person has not paid me anything. This situation has been going on since August 2010.

Answer:

You cannot place a lien on someone for a simple debt like this. Liens are typically for work done or services rendered, not for personal agreements or unpaid bills. Since the amount owed is relatively small, consider filing a claim in small claims court to recover your money. You can represent yourself in this process, as hiring an attorney may not be cost-effective for such a small amount.

To proceed, you will need to fill out a complaint form, which is available at your local small claims court. Be prepared to provide evidence that supports your claim, as you will need more than just your word to prove that the person owes you the money. Lastly, it may be wise to stop making payments on their cell phone account to avoid further financial loss.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

The cost to place a lien varies by state and the type of lien. Generally, you may incur filing fees that range from $50 to several hundred dollars. Additionally, if you hire an attorney to help with the process, legal fees will add to the cost. It's important to consider whether the amount owed justifies these expenses, especially for smaller debts.