I have been having a big problem with lending people money and them saying they will pay me back. My wife and I had lent some one money and they said they would pay us back, well 2 months later they finally write us a check and the next day that check was taken out of her wallet by the same person who wrote and left a note saying they needed the money back and will pay us back. i considered filing charges of theft seeing as how the check was for almost $400 but my wife talked me out of it seeing as it was family. I am wondering if I type up an agreement stating who is lending money to who, on what date, for what reason, and the agreement of being paid back whether it be one sum or payments and by what date(s). Would that be justifiable or do I need to get it notarized or something? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.