Los Angeles, CA asked in Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for California

Q: I am owed money by someone getting a settlement. Is there a way I can confirm this person is getting that settlement?

I was devastated by someone claiming that she will right everything when she receives a substantial settlement coming to her. For one thing, she borrowed money from me claiming that she will pay me back double in a quick amount of time…I have proof of this contract. A great deal of time has passed and she is still broke. She has done so much more and I can explain everything in detail. She caused so much damage to me while always stipulating that everything will be great when she receives her settlement. This settlement is supposedly her portion of her ex husband’s business that she won through litigation after their divorce. I confirmed with an investigator that she actually was married to her ex husband and that she did in fact work at his business for a decade. Her ex husband is confirmed wealthy. Is there any way to confirm that she’s getting this settlement?

2 Lawyer Answers
Theodore Allan Greene
Theodore Allan Greene
Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you sue her for Breach of Contract you can then ask her questions in "discovery" to try and find out her financial position. You could then take her deposition and ask further questions. Talk to an attorney to see how viable your case might be.

Patrick William Steinfeld agrees with this answer

Patrick William Steinfeld
Patrick William Steinfeld
Answered
  • Coronado, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Settlements are confidential and therefore not part of any public record (i.e. courts file). A lawsuit may or may not get you the information you seek. A parties assets are not relevant to a breach of contract. Assets only become relevant after judgment. You didn't say when the divorce was finalized. But if it's fairly recent consider sending an attorney copy service to copy the case file. There may be a declaration of assets or an evaluation of assets. If the ex had money... then it seems like she would have recovered some pretty good money in her divorce.

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