Approximately 3 years ago, my husband and I rented a loft in Downtown Los Angeles; unfortunately our landlord had financial issues and had to sell the loft. At the end of our lease, we left and waited for our security deposit of over $3200 to be returned to us. For the next 4 months, we asked for our security deposit, and were told that we had missed a payment while we had lived in the loft. Now, please note that we were never told that we were behind on our payments, and also, we ONLY paid with cashier checks each month (therefore, we had copies).

We told our landlord he was mistaken, but he refused to budge. My husband and I decided to take him to court. The judge awarded the $3200, plus $50 in filing fees to us. Over the next year we received only $500 toward the $3250, leaving $2750. We went back to court and were told that he filed bankruptcy, and would probably not see any of the money since we were not a creditor. Approximately six months ago, we received a phone call from the Bankruptcy attorney and were told that we would probably receive $240 dollars, not the full amount. There was to be a court hearing, and the judge would determine whether we would even receive that amount. All creditors were to attend.

When my husband arrived to court, there were no creditors there – only my husband and the judge. My husband showed all the documentation stating that we had won the original judgement two years ago. The judge stated that unfortunately there was a little bit of money, and it would have to be divided between the IRS, credit card companies, and other creditors. My husband left upset hearing that we would only get approximately $240.

When he arrived home, I told him that I believed that we were going to get the extra money, and decided to see us spending the money to buy items that we had wanted.

Last week while my husband was walking our dogs, I went to the mailbox, and opened a letter from the bankruptcy attorney. Inside the envelope was a check in the amount of $2420. I immediately called my husband on his cell, and said that I have a surprise for you, where are you and the dogs. He was around the corner….Imagine his surprise when I showed him the check.

I knew that we would receive more than the bankruptcy attorney and the second judge determined. I knew it in my heart. I kept visualizing us spending the money and told my husband that we are going to get most of our money back. We received $2420, almost all of the $2750 that was remaining.