Loaned My Brother And His Wife $200,000 And She’s Refusing To Pay Us Back. Help?

EDIT- just wanted to share that this is my first time genuinely writing a post, wanting some helpful insight. The post has been filled with comments, calling me stupid, a dumb bitch, and other countless insults. You people are what make the Internet a harmful place. I will no longer be replying. I’m keeping the post up for the helpful advice. And if you were kind and actually contributed with helpful advice, I thank you.

At the end of January 2025, my brother ran into an issue while moving into his brand new build house. While he was withdrawing money from his savings account, the bank lost his check in the mail for about $500k. The builder was getting impatient as my brother had put off the payment for a few weeks so my father loaned him $165,000 at 5% interest rate. When I found out that he needed more, my husband and I loaned him $185,000 at a 6% interest rate. He stated that he would only need the money for a couple of weeks as he had the money, but he needed to sort out the issue with the bank. I loaned him the money on February 12, 2025 after filing a complaint with the OCC against Ally Bank and TD Bank who gave them multiple issues depositing their checks. They finally received payment July 31, 2025. The money was deposited by my brother’s wife into her personal account. Since we’ve requested our money back multiple times we’ve been met with anger, hesitation, and threats from her. They owe my parents and my husband and I almost $500,000 combined. Every time we’ve asked my brother‘s wife to bring us the checks or send us the money anyway that is possible, she comes up with an excuse and lies to our faces. Finally, my brother opened up to us and told us that she’s having trouble parting with the money. He’s also expressed they are constantly fighting about her giving the money back and that he feels stuck in their marriage. I believe she is a narcissist and apparently she is in therapy to get help. I am supposed to be building a house with my husband and signing our contract within the month so I need my money. If we decide to go through with a lawsuit, how long could this process take? And if we have evidence of them acknowledging the debt, will that hold up? TIA! Location: New York

EDIT: * please refrain from telling me I’m being “stupid” or I’m being “scammed.” Came here for legal advice, not your personal judgement.