DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, I lent my daughter and her husband $35,000 so they could purchase a home. I told them that they could pay me back when they were financially able. (No mention was made about "interest.")
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After two years, there was nothing said about repaying the loan, so I asked them when they intended to pay me back. They just looked at each other, then changed the subject. By the way, their combined incomes come close to $100,000 annually.
Now they tell me that they considered the money a gift, and they will not be paying it back! Needless to say, we are not speaking. Is there anything I can do to get my money back? Can I take them to court? -- BESIDE MYSELF IN SAN FRANCISCO
DEAR BESIDE: Can you take them to court? Of course you can, but in the absence of a written note stating that the $35,000 was a loan, you not only bought them a house -- you bought yourself a headache. Your first order of business: Call your lawyer.