Personal debts & loans

You lent it. They 'forgot'. Let's jog their memory.

Lent money to a friend, family member or ex and the repayment plan has quietly evaporated? A clear, dated letter of demand turns a vague IOU into a deadline — and sets you up to file if they keep ghosting.

Start a debts claim

Sounds familiar?

Loan to a friend for a car that was never repaid
Shared bills an ex-housemate skipped out on
A cheque or transfer that bounced

Evidence checklist

Proof the money changed handskey
Messages with themkey
Any written IOU or agreement

Watch out for

Was it a loan or a gift? Messages showing they promised to repay are gold.
Limitation periods: generally 6 years (3 in the NT).

Where it usually goes

Usually your state's small claims court or civil tribunal (e.g. NSW Local Court Small Claims, QCAT minor debt).

NSW guide VIC guide QLD guide SA guide WA guide TAS guide ACT guide NT guide

Questions

Can I sue a family member?

Yes. The court doesn't care that it's your cousin — it cares whether there was an agreement to repay. A letter of demand is often enough to settle it without a hearing.

What if there's nothing in writing?

Verbal loans are still enforceable. Bank transfers plus any message where they acknowledge the debt go a long way.

Stop being nice about it.

Build your case free in about 10 minutes. Letter of demand first, statement of claim and court pack if they ignore it. Court-ready from $99 incl. GST.

Start my court case