he 52 - Sunday, December 3, 1989 - North Shore News LIFESTYLES Fieip’s | HELP’S AT Hand, a weekly feature by the North Shore Information and Volunteer Centre, answers questions about and discusses such topics as govern- ment policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers published in this column are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to specific individual cases without further consultation. wae In last week’s answer to the question from a person abou! to enter a long-term care facitity on whether he would still be eligible for GAIN some incorrect in- formation was provided. Fortunately, the correct information contains good news. The regulations now state that a resident in a long- term care facility will continue to receive GAIN for Seniors. Question: I lent my ex-boyfriend $500 almost two yeass ago and although he keeps promising to pay me back, I haven’t seen any of the money yet. I haven't yot anything in writing (a show that be owes me the money, but his mother was oresent when I gave him the cash, and she knew it was a joan. Is there anything I can do to make him pay me back? Answer: You may want to use smali claim court to prove that your ex-boyfriend owes you this amount. The court does not collect the money for you, but if you win the case, yeu receive a document called a judgment that ‘egally allows you to take collection proceedings. Before deciding on a smali claim court action you must ask yourself some questions. Can you prove your case? if your defendant at hand disputes your claim, what evidence do ye-1 have that you lent him the money? Do you have a cancelled cheque? Would his mother testify on your behalf? Hf you do beiieve that you have a good chance of obtaining a judgment, can you coflect? Does your defeidant have a job, bank account or other assets? To start an action you must complete and file a summons form with the provincial court. The sum- mons states the facts of your claim and must be served on the defendant. If the defendant files a dispute, stating that he does not agree that he owes you money, a hearing date is set for a judge to hear the matter. You would be looking at a cost of $50 for filing: fees, swearing an affidavit and serving the summons by double-registered mail. The cost may be higher if you hire a process server or if your case is complicated by other factors. Most people can handle their own small claim court case after doing some research and referring to self- help materials, but it’s always a good idea to get some legal advice from a lawyer before you start an action. The Lawyer Referral Service, telephone 687-3221, will put you in touch with a lawyer who will charge you a $10 fee for a 30-minute consultation. This should be enough time for you to find out what chance you might have cf being successful with your case, and you can then make an educated decision on whether to go to smal]] claim court. wee * The North Shore Information and Volunteer Cen- tre, a United Way agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North Vancouver, B.C. V7P IM3, telephone 985-7138. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. Support Paraplegic Christmas Appeal HELP THE province-wide wheelchair life. Paraplegic Christmas Appeal and buy a specially-designed calendar. This year’s design points out, in a positive way, the challenges of Part of the $4 cost of the calen- dar will be paid to the door-to- door sellers, who are students or unemployed persons. Funds from this project, which is sponsored by the B.C. Paraplegic Foundation, are held in trust and will work for the spinal-cord injured of British Columbia. 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