Would you sue a family member or a good friend, even if you had a good case?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I have an ex sister-in-law, who was always looking for that one lawsuit to make her rich. A bunch of joyriding kids drove into her retaining wall. It was cracked, but according to my SIL, there was $3 billion in damages. She was going to sue. She finally had to accept $700. That got me thinking, would you sue a family member or a good friend, even if you had a good case?
 

I pick my friends well. And have a small reasonable family. I expect to danger there. However this is not the case on my partner’s side. His half-brother is threatening to sue over an estate. I hope he tries with every fiber of my being….for he will lose. But by doing so he has insured he will die a lonely old man.
 
I knew some people in Florida who did that. A woman was knocked down by a friend's dog whilst they were walking on the beach together. The woman was older and had a few mobility problems. I know the dog hurt her, but she got back up and told her friend not to worry about it.

However when she got home and told her husband he insisted on suing And they did, despite the wife's objections. In the end they settled with the dog owner's insurance company, got some money, but the lady lost friends over it. To me it would not have been worth the money. Would never have even considered it.
 
Yes, I sued my grandmother in small claims court. I took one of her cats to the vet and paid for expensive treatment. When I asked to be reimbursed, she said something to the effect that I would get it in her will. I sued and won by default because she didn't come to court. I think eventually she paid and a good thing because by the time she pasesed, there wasn't much left in her estate and whatever was, the executor took it.
 
Hmmm... good question. If bodily injury to myself or my immediate family was a result, I wouldn't have an issue suing a friend. If property damage with a relatively high price tag that insurance wouldn't cover, I'd hope that family would offer to make it right on their own... maybe a friend, too... but if not, I'd probably try to recover at least some of the costs. Again from friend, though... I can't see suing family because I have a really great family! (EDITING to add that my thoughts here are about something *big* like driving under the influence of drugs and crashing with me in the car paralyzing me or something... not stealing from me or running over my tree!)
 
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debodun said:
Yes, I sued my grandmother in small claims court. I took one of her cats to the vet and paid for expensive treatment. When I asked to be reimbursed, she said something to the effect that I would get it in her will. I sued and won by default because she didn't come to court. I think eventually she paid and a good thing because by the time she pasesed, there wasn't much left in her estate and whatever was, the executor took it.
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Now that it's all over would you do it again?

A kind of similar thing happened in my family. My father gave his dog to my brother and then my brother gave it away. My father was furious and reported my bother, his son, to the sheriff for dog theft. He claimed that he had not given the dog to my brother but only entrusted it to his care. The sheriff did talk to my bother about it but did nothing. I think my brother was probably wrong not to first offer it back to my father, but he thought he was doing the best thing at the time. I think my father was more in the wrong. It did not result in a permanent riff, but I know my brother never forgot, neither did I.
 
I am sorry to have to admit that I have. No story necessary, but the family was already damaged, so my suit was kind of like throwing a little gas on the fire. I didn't look at it as me being the bad guy or a troublemaker, like my Aunt called me, but fairness is the right thing to do in my situation and when people try to take advantage of a person's financial situation, it's time to put a stop to things, or like Barney Fife would say, "Nip it in the bud."
 
NorthernLight said:
I once considered suing my late fiance's family for money I had a legal right to (we had a notarized contract). It was just a few thousand, and I realized that the lawyer would probably get all the money. So I decided not to sue.
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It's very costly to sue someone. Make sure it's worth it before you start. It could cost you more in the long run than you bargained for. Ms. Light is right. The lawyers end up with most of the dough.
 
debodun said:
Yes, I sued my grandmother in small claims court. I took one of her cats to the vet and paid for expensive treatment. When I asked to be reimbursed, she said something to the effect that I would get it in her will. I sued and won by default because she didn't come to court. I think eventually she paid and a good thing because by the time she pasesed, there wasn't much left in her estate and whatever was, the executor took it.
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What kind of relationship did you have with your grandmother after that?
 
No. Money is meaningless.
If there is a situation, handle it innocently and naturally.
Let it pass with the least amount of concern.
Try to handle it harmoniously, with compassion.
 
debodun said:
Yes, I sued my grandmother in small claims court. I took one of her cats to the vet and paid for expensive treatment. When I asked to be reimbursed, she said something to the effect that I would get it in her will. I sued and won by default because she didn't come to court. I think eventually she paid and a good thing because by the time she pasesed, there wasn't much left in her estate and whatever was, the executor took it.
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seee.. I kinda understand that. I would never have sued my Paternal grandmother for anything, regardless.. but as for the wicked Witch I had the misfortune of having for a Maternal Grandmother.. I would have sued her for everything if there had been any reason whatsoever.. and enjoyed it...
 
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Alligatorob said:
I knew some people in Florida who did that. A woman was knocked down by a friend's dog whilst they were walking on the beach together. The woman was older and had a few mobility problems. I know the dog hurt her, but she got back up and told her friend not to worry about it.

However when she got home and told her husband he insisted on suing And they did, despite the wife's objections. In the end they settled with the dog owner's insurance company, got some money, but the lady lost friends over it. To me it would not have been worth the money. Would never have even considered it.
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they could have stayed friends if she'd given her friend half of the spoils...:D
 
No. Family can be a major disappointment, but to attack with lawsuits against them, it would be like letting them win......emotionally.
Nope. It's just not worth it.
 

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