Getting a check is simple and pretty cheap. Make sure you get her real name, any A/K/A, and her prior names, if any with the correct date of birth as well. Why pay a lawyer? I doubt they teach that topic in law school. As the other posts indicate, there are a bunch of services out there on the net which give background info for a few bucks. If she has a forclosure on her credit report, I doubt she has a high credit score. I would be concerned where that person lived, how long, what law suits or issues developed. Love is free, so why borrow or lend money ? Good luck.