needhelp22
New Member
Hello there. I live in Indiana, where I'm aware there is very little protection for tenants. Here's the situation: I rented an apartment for 3 and half years approximately. Towards the last few months, I fell on hard times. Rent was backed up as I was in a car accident and working less. I was not allowed to use my vacation time for injuries and ran through my sick time, but since I was a good employee, they allowed me to quite (and I'm on the rehire list). I got a notice of course as my rent was late. This was approximately around the end of August 2010. I spoke with my landlords and my mom spoke with them. My personal property was taken and placed into storage. We were advised over the phone that to get it back (it was very costly furniture, TVs, not to mention very high end designer clothes, bags, etc.) we would have to pay the amount due (fair enough), and if we didn't pay the amount due, then my personal property would be auctioned off to cover the past rented owed, and any fees pertaining to that. Even at fair market value, the items were well enough to cover the amount due and then some. This was told to us over the phone a little over 2 years ago. Just today, I received a small claims court summons to appear for the amount past due over two years ago. Well, now I'm freaking out. I already dealt with losing all of my belongings and realize it was my error to default on the rent, however, I was under the assumption that my belongs were sold and used towards the delinquency. Now i'm wondering where my belongings are, and I'm really worried that they are going to try to say that I "abandoned" the property. You know, it's been 2 plus years, so I don't remember all of the details to claim conversion, I thought this was all handled. Is there anything I can do or am I just sol?
In addition: You know, I really didn't have a good understanding of contracts and all of the legal aspects then. After a lot of hardship and loss, I had begun to change my life for the better and I reenrolled back in school. Ironically, I am finishing a Real Estate Law course as one of my courses this quarter. I moved back home with my mom after everything with the apartment and have been in school now for a little over a year. I have made dean's list every quarter and have a straight A average since. I want to be a criminal defense lawyer eventually. I'm also worried that this will effect my future career plans as well. I'm in my bachelor's and plan to take the LSAT in a couple of years. My mom is helping me pay my tuition (and I have financial aid), which was just due. My schooling means everything to me and now I'm worried that I'll have to quite because I can't pay this amount due. I can't even imagine having to quite school, even trying has me so upset. Please any help is so appreciated. Please...
In addition: You know, I really didn't have a good understanding of contracts and all of the legal aspects then. After a lot of hardship and loss, I had begun to change my life for the better and I reenrolled back in school. Ironically, I am finishing a Real Estate Law course as one of my courses this quarter. I moved back home with my mom after everything with the apartment and have been in school now for a little over a year. I have made dean's list every quarter and have a straight A average since. I want to be a criminal defense lawyer eventually. I'm also worried that this will effect my future career plans as well. I'm in my bachelor's and plan to take the LSAT in a couple of years. My mom is helping me pay my tuition (and I have financial aid), which was just due. My schooling means everything to me and now I'm worried that I'll have to quite because I can't pay this amount due. I can't even imagine having to quite school, even trying has me so upset. Please any help is so appreciated. Please...
