What assets are at risk if you voluntarilygive your car back to the finance company?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What assets are at risk if you voluntarilygive your car back to the finance company?
My son is 51 years old and shares an apartment with me. I am 74 years old and on social security. He has kidney failure and has been placed on Social Security Disability. He has had 3 surgeries last week to remove lower limb on left leg. He cannot work. He has a car that he owe 16,400 on. If we send the car back , can the finance company go after his bank account or a second vehicle he owns outright?
Asked on March 5, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You cannot make a lender take the car back and give up any claims, though they can choose to accept the car back as settlement of all amounts owed--you can and should probably discuss this with them, though if they do agree to take the car back and drop any claim for more money, get that in writing to protect yourselves.
If they don't agree to drop any claims, then if the current value of the car is less than the current outstanding balance on the loan, they can sue for the difference. (Also check the financing agreements--there may be additional penalties or fees they can seek when there is a default.) If the car is worth much more then the current loan value, you are in much better shape, since there may not then be any amounts due and owing, after they get the car back, that they can seek.
However, assuming that the current loan balance (and any penalties in the agreement) exceed the car's value, the lender could, at its option, sue for the rest of the money owed. If they sue and win, getting a judgment in their favor, and your son still does not pay, they could try to recover the money otherwise, such as by going after money in his bank account or other assets/property (like a car) which he owns.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.