hi,

a friend of mine needs me to lend him money. i do trust him, obviously, but would like to fill an appropriate document and register it to an official authority in geneva

anyone having any insight ?

Do you have legal insurance? If so, ask them.

Otherwise, you will need to find a lawyer.

Tom

Are you sure about the French phrase for it? My French is pretty non-existant but a German 'Darlehensvertrag' which I think is what you want, is, according to my good friend Leo, 'contrat de pret'. There are quite a few examples of contracts in German on-line, so if all EFers are on holiday and no-one around to help you, you could try Googling the French phrase and see if any likely-looking text comes up.

I'm not sure it has to be deposited anywhere - maybe just signed by you both and safe so that you have it if you need it. Lawyers, where are you?

And if this isn't any help, at least it 'bumps' your Thread so that others might see it.

In this case, have it notarized.

The commune will do that for 20/30 CHF.

Tom

Irrerspective of whatever bit of paper you have, signed or not, if he hasn't got the money, then you're not getting yours back.

Either you trust him or you don't, obviously.

...ah but you see, situations change. People change their priorities. They get ill, they forget, they die. It is not just a case of having the money but being prepared to pay it back. Some folk are more reliable than others. Even within a family, I would say, get it in writing. Make it official. After all, it covers both parties! The one who lent Fr.50.000 cannot say - yes but it was Fr.100.000 that I lent your Dad... and if in the agreement it said 'within six months' the lender cannot claim it back two weeks later just because he's found another use for it.

How much money are you lending?
With or without interest?
Do you need any securities?

All I guess need to be noted and signed, and if possible witnesses' signatures.
You will also need to say how the money will be paid to your friend and how and over what period of time he will need to pay it back. If there are securities involved you will need to say when and on which conditions will they be liquidated...

It all really depends on how much you are lending, what income your friend has, what he/she's going to do with the money and what influence do you have if he/she decides that the value of your friendship is less than that of the money lent...