Evicted- Sued and Can't Find Ex-Roommate

[davidw]

2 or 3 years ago, my ex-roommate and I got evicted from a townhouse that we were sharing together. Apparently the money that I was giving him to pay for the next months rent, he was using that money to pay back rent for months that he could pay before. Eventually that caught up to him and we were evicted. The rental office is now suing me and my ex-roommate over 7 thousand dollars. I can not find my ex-roommate to figure out what to do. If I can't find my ex-roommate, then I know that I will have to pay for the money all by myself since I am also on the lease. I read in a letter that they sent me saying that they could take a lien on any owned property. The only property that I own is my car, which I need to drive to work every day. If they take my car, then I will be forced to find a lower paying job near my home, so I do not want them to take my car. I would like to settle this soon so that I can get on with my life. What should I do?

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: What should I do?

A: Ask them how much (in cash dollars) they would take to settle it and then get the money and then give it to them.

 

[davidw]

Would it be better if I went to them face-to-face to do it, or would it be better if I hired a lawyer to talk to them?