TexasCHLforum.com

Back in the spring of last year or daughter and her husband were buying a new house. Their ready cash was a bit short, and they needed a fence down one long side, across the back and a short one on the other side to connect the house to an existing fence next door.

I planed to build it myself for them, but it was 'decided' by my wife that I was not physically able to perform the work in a quick manner.

We gave them a check for $1000.00 from our local bank, another or $1,000.00 from our credit union, and $500.oo cash for a total of $2,500.00. They contracted for a fence within a few days. It was finished to everyones satisfaction.

We had NO paperwork or written agreement concerning this transaction. Yeah, I know, don't start on me. Should'a, could'a, could 'a.

After a few weeks, my wife asked them about how they planned to repay the amount. She was told that they expected $16,000.00 from the real estate credit being offered for new home purchases. They got this information from their real estate agent.

Well, the husband still had a house in his name from a divorce ten years ago, so they did not qualify for any credit/rebate.

We were then told that the $2,500.00 was a gift from us to them, and it would not be repaid. I suppose you can understand that this caused a deep rift between our two families. We have been denied access to the grandkids, no contact in any way between us and them.

Now we find that they are splitting up, selling the house.

Is there any way we can put any kind of a lien against the house? We have nothing in writing. The only documentation is the two cancelled checks for $1,000.00 each dated the same day.

I know you 'can't fight city hall, but you can take a crap on the steps.' Any suggestions would be welcome, except don't be so stupid in the future.