How to Deal Debt of Friends and Family Members Initial Act of a Debtor: Noong ika'y umuutang, labi mo'y napakatamis; Maamo mong mukha, nagsusumamo ng labis. Ngunit nang ika'y singilin, labi mo'y napagaspang; O di kaya'y mukha't taguan mo'y hirap hagilapin. Literal English Translation: When you were taking a loan from me, your lips were so sweet; Your face was so gentle, pleading extremely. But when I asked you to pay it, your lips were so harsh; Or your face and hiding place is so difficult to search. Lost Patience of a Creditor: Mahiya ka naman... Magbayad ka ng utang mo! Literal English Translation: Ashamed of yourself... Pay your debt! Though there are legal remedies to collect debts but think a thousand times before suing your friends, relatives or anyone. Save the relationship first. Don't let it be ruined by mere money and anger. Help them avoid small claims court, debt collectors, attorney's fees and court fees. I know it is difficult to control our emotions when our friends, relatives or anyone continually failing their commitments to pay. We know that we have given them the favor on the first place, yet, they couldn’t even return a just a small good will to us. An on-time payment could be a great simplest way to appreciate our help to them on their time of crisis . Well, I've been into these situations wherein many times I wasn’t been paid. In fact, I have already considered that debts by a friends, relatives or anyone is a lost savings. Nothing to expect and nothing to think better than worrying on non-payments of debtors. Yeah, it is the worst reality that debtors ignore even intently forget you. But what can you do if these debtors are your closest friends or love ones? Will you put them on court? Or would you simply humble yourself and let it go? At the end of the day, your heart speaks that you’d not wanted them to suffer the consequences of court proceedings. It's already a statistical record on my part that many of those who owes me never paid at all instead hated me the most. But I do hope that my hard-headed debtors would be aware that prior to any legal actions I have initiated as hereunder a proactive approach and smart remedy to convince them which was been effective to some of my debtors. Control your Emotions and Keep Politeness Be patient as you collect those debts. Talk to them nicely and politely. Debtors would soften their heart if you would keep the respect and dignity of them. It’s an absolute facts that debtors’ words are always broken and even developed an intentional memory gap. However, being aggressive would yield the debtors to be more combative and rude as a blocking or defense wall to keep delay the payment. Have a Written Agreement Well, it could be impolite to get a black and white agreement or a contract with your closest friends or love ones. But let them understand that putting in writing would avoid disagreement or dispute in the future. It is a way of preserving the relationship together. Because it is just this paper that would remind each of you of all the terms and conditions agreed at the time that the debt was released. It is a binding commitment by both of you. A promissory note as a simple binding contract would be sufficient. On the first place, a written agreement is very essential if you are worried that you’ll not be paid. Show Sincerity to Collect After you have done a verbal talks with your debtors or your entreaties didn’t work, it is a high time to collect your money by writing them. Give them sufficient and practical period say 30, 60 and 90 days due notices. Keep the copies of these letters for it served as a paper trail if you’ll be filing on a small claims court. Another way to show your sincerity would be an amicable settlement in order to avoid losing the relationship. A debt settlement agreement could be in form of relaxing the terms and condition of the original agreement and even extending the period of payment. This settlement agreement spurs debtor away from any court battles and ruining relationships. Call a Lawyer Personally, I don’t want to go this far. I would rather forget the debt and keep the friendship and relationship with my friends, family members or anyone . Perhaps, you'd tell me it depends on the value of the money that the debtors have loaned. Well, what would say... so let's just continue discussion then. So, if your numerous direct personal approaches were been ignored and your debtors failed to pay you with ceaseless commitments, then, better call your life line, a Lawyer. An attorney has legal ways to convince or demand debtors to pay you. The attorney will directly write a letter to the debtor to show that you're very serious of collecting your money and even tending to consider filing a small claims court. I would rather end my discussion here, I would leave you with your lawyer to talk about further steps because every debts or loans could be on a different cases. Your attorney will advise you the best available legal remedies in accordance with the law. How to Deal Debt of Friends and Family Members Initial Act of a Debtor : Noong ika'y umuutang, labi mo'y napakatamis; Maamo mong mukha, nagsusumamo ng labis. Nguni... Read more » 1:46 AM