• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

I need help with a debt collection case!

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

legaladvicehelp

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My family loaned money to a man who frequently travels from the US (Texas) to Taiwan. We found out that is an infamous scammer businessman who has gotten away with taking a lot of people's money and disappearing. We have a promissory note, signed in 2010, indication the amount owed, property, and interest, and have filed a court petition last summer in 2016. The attorney general attempted to serve his notice at the address on his driver's license, but he was never there and thus we have not been able to move forward with this case. We previously had a lawyer, who recommended that we find a private investigator on our own and that we do not need a lawyer to be present at the trial.

1) What should we do moving forward? I've looked into private investigators, but they charge a huge upfront deposit and don't guarantee any results. This man has been running back and forth from US and Taiwan and probably has his assets held out of the country.
2) Should I find a different lawyer, would they be able to help?
3) Is it even worth pursuing this case, or does it sound like we will never find him? Is finding him and making him show up necessary in order to proceed to the trial?

I would truly appreciate any advice!
 


CTU

Meddlesome Priestess
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

My family loaned money to a man who frequently travels from the US (Texas) to Taiwan. We found out that is an infamous scammer businessman who has gotten away with taking a lot of people's money and disappearing. We have a promissory note, signed in 2010, indication the amount owed, property, and interest, and have filed a court petition last summer in 2016. The attorney general attempted to serve his notice at the address on his driver's license, but he was never there and thus we have not been able to move forward with this case. We previously had a lawyer, who recommended that we find a private investigator on our own and that we do not need a lawyer to be present at the trial.

1) What should we do moving forward? I've looked into private investigators, but they charge a huge upfront deposit and don't guarantee any results. This man has been running back and forth from US and Taiwan and probably has his assets held out of the country.
2) Should I find a different lawyer, would they be able to help?
3) Is it even worth pursuing this case, or does it sound like we will never find him? Is finding him and making him show up necessary in order to proceed to the trial?

I would truly appreciate any advice!
Are you talking about a substantial amount of money?
 

adjusterjack

Senior Member
My guess is that you will end up kissing the money good bye no matter what you do.

Even if you can find him to serve him, it's likely that he won't show up in court and you'll get a default judgment.

Good luck trying to collect after that.

A guy who was smart enough to swindle you out of $40,000 (yes, swindle) is smart enough to avoid your collection efforts.

Sorry for the blunt analysis, but somebody had to give it to you.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top