What is it called when someone owes you money?

Asked by: Kim Olson  |  Last update: May 30, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (59 votes)

A debtor is someone who owes money. If you borrow from a bank to buy a car, you are a debtor. Most of us are debtors at some point in our lives.

What is the legal term for someone who owes you money?

Debtor. A person who owes money to someone else. Default Judgment. A judgment in favor of the Plaintiff, or creditor, that the court enters against the Defendant, or debtor, when the Defendant has been properly served with the Complaint but does not file an Answer by the 20-day deadline. Defendant.

What do you call a person who owes money?

Debtor or creditor are words you have probably heard before, but you might not be sure what they mean. They describe a relationship where one party owes money to another party. The debtor is the party that owes the money (debt), while the creditor is the party that loaned the money.

What do you say to someone who owes you money?

‍Remind them of their debt and how important it is to you. They should understand why it's so important by now, but if they have any doubts, remind them again! You don't have to be rude, but you should be assertive and firm when asking for what you're owed. Don't be rude, but always ask for what you're owed.

What is the word for someone owing money?

be beholden be bound be contracted be in arrears be in debt be indebted be into one for be obligated be under obligation behind feel bound get on credit have borrowed in hock on the tab ought to run up a bill.

How to Get Your Money Back from Someone Who Owes You

35 related questions found

What is owing money to someone?

verb B1. If you owe money to someone, they have lent it to you and you have not yet paid it back. You can also say that the money is owing.

What is a word for owing something to someone?

Synonyms of align

to bring to or be in a state of agreement Though we have our differences, we align on many issues. agree. correspond. coincide. coordinate.

What to do if someone won't pay you back?

What to Do If Someone Owes You Money and Won't Pay Back
  1. Introduction: ...
  2. Open Communication: Establish a Paper Trail. ...
  3. Send a Demand Letter. ...
  4. Small Claims Court. ...
  5. Mediation. ...
  6. Arbitration. ...
  7. File a Lawsuit in Civil Court. ...
  8. Obtaining a Judgment.

When someone owes you money and ignores you?

Yes, you can sue someone who owes you money. When someone keeps "forgetting" to pay you or flat out refuses to pay up, the situation can quickly become frustrating. You can take the issue to small claims court and pursue legal action if it falls between the minimum and maximum money thresholds under court rules.

What does the Bible say when someone owes you money?

Ps 37:21 - The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. The Bible is clear that when something is borrowed is should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay reveals a wicked heart and not the generous and giving heart God wants us to have.

What is another word for not paying?

delinquent outstanding overdue. Weak matches. due in arrears mature not discharged owing past due payable undefrayed unliquidated unsettled.

What is it called when money is owed?

Debt. Money you owe another person or a business.

What do you call someone who never pays for anything?

Names or nicknames for a person who doesn't pay his bills: DEADBEAT.

Can I make a police report if someone owes me money?

Unless the matter also involves violence or an immediate threat there is really not much that the police can do for you if someone owes you money on a loan. More likely, the police will direct you to sue them in court, and depending on the amount you are owed you can file the lawsuit in small claims court.

What is it called when a customer owes you money?

Accounts receivable (commonly referred to as AR) is simply money owed to you by your customers. Because cash flow is the life blood of a business, it is vital that you have strong collections processes in place to ensure you get paid what you're owed as soon as possible.

Is it worth suing someone with no money?

Essentially, you might think suing someone with no money is futile, but that's not the case. The law protects your rights and allows you to seek compensation if someone causes you harm or loss, regardless of their financial status.

What can you do if someone doesn't return your money?

Write a demand letter

In the letter, explain to the borrower that they haven't repaid the loan as promised, and they need to do so. Give them a time limit to respond. (Be reasonable.) Explain the consequences if they ignore the letter.

Can you go to jail for owing someone money?

It's possible to serve jail time if you've failed to pay your federal taxes or make child support payments. You can't go to jail merely for owing credit card, student loan, personal loan or other types of debt, which we'll explain below.

What do you call someone who always owes money?

A debtor is a person or organisation that owes money. This will often be owed for services or goods, or because they have borrowed money. In most instances, the debtor will have a legal obligation to pay the debt. The person they owe the money to is known as a creditor.

Can you sue someone who promised you money?

The short answer is yes, you may have a claim for someone who broke a promise to you.

What happens if you sue someone and they can't pay?

The California statute of limitations for filing a judgment is ten years. If the debtor cannot pay or complete payment within this time, you must renew the judgment. The judgment must continue to be renewed to ensure the debtor pays the full amount.

How do you deal with someone who refuses to pay you?

What to do if a customer doesn't pay
  1. Follow up immediately. ...
  2. Call them or schedule a meeting. ...
  3. Send a debt collection letter. ...
  4. Hire a collection agency. ...
  5. Consider letting it go. ...
  6. Research your new prospects. ...
  7. Be clear with your payment policies. ...
  8. Send invoices immediately and schedule reminders.

What is someone owing money called?

A debtor is someone who owes money. If you borrow from a bank to buy a car, you are a debtor. Most of us are debtors at some point in our lives.

What's another word for repay someone?

Some common synonyms of repay are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, reimburse, remunerate, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount. In what contexts can compensate take the place of repay?

What is the word for person owing money?

If someone owes you money and is refusing to pay, there are several things you can do to try and recover your money. When someone owes you money, you are known as a creditor and the person who owes you money is a debtor.