how much should we pay?

[MrsBear]

We're in North Carolina. Our 10 & 8 year old boys keyed & punctured a tire on a neighbors car in retaliation of their son hitting, cussing at them & hurting a younger sibling.
We accept responsibility for restitution. They've given an itemized list for repair, replacement tires, labor, rental car & lost wages.
Are we required to pay their wages? The man works nights & does not drive.
Is it unreasonable to ask for 1 or 2 more estimates for the work?
How can we guarentee they will not take us to court following payment or would it be better to go that route in the first place?
I appreciate any help you can offer.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

We're in North Carolina. Our 10 & 8 year old boys keyed & punctured a tire on a neighbors car in retaliation of their son hitting, cussing at them & hurting a younger sibling.
We accept responsibility for restitution. They've given an itemized list for repair, replacement tires, labor, rental car & lost wages.
Are we required to pay their wages? The man works nights & does not drive.
Is it unreasonable to ask for 1 or 2 more estimates for the work?
How can we guarentee they will not take us to court following payment or would it be better to go that route in the first place?
I appreciate any help you can offer.

My response:

An 8 and 10 year old are already doing this ? Wonderful. I can't wait to see what they do at 18 years of age. From whom does an 8 and 10 year old "learn" this type of "retribution" ? Hmmm ?

Anyway, lost wages may be appropriate to be reimbursed while the car is being repaired. Or, they are entitled to car rental fees while their car is being repaired, if they can get a rental car.

Depending upon the amount of the damages; e.g., over $750.00, then it would be advisable that you insist on one more estimate.

There are no guarantees in life; but, you can protect yourselves by paying with a check or money order (you need a paper trail), and having them sign a "Release of All Claims" form in exchange for your check. Once that is signed, and if your check doesn't bounce from here to eternity, then they cannot win a judgment in court should they decide to sue you anyway. You can't stop someone from suing you, but that signed and dated "Release" will keep them from winning in court.

Good luck.

IAAL