Has anyone ever had a vehicle repossessed?

What the hell am I supposed to do? What are my rights? Do I even have any?

When my ex and I were married and both making decent wages, we bought a minivan together.

My job changed for the worse. She lost hers this year. Therefore, we are several months behind on the payment, and they're clamoring for the van.

We've moved and divorced, so I guess they don't know where the van is? I don't answer my phone, though they do know where I live (and have plastered "final notice"s on my car window with duct tape.

We owe around $6g on the van. The Kelly book value is about $2g. It's now full of dents and scratches, needs two new tires and a tune-up, and is filthy inside.

It's always been my wife's ride. But my name is on the lease, and I have the only phone number (or address) they have on file. It's parked at my ex's house.

I wish to hell a tornado would come and destroy it, or a sleepy semi driver would T-bone it so their insurance will pay for it. But I'm sick with stress over the fear of having my already low wages garnished for a car I don't even own nor drive. And I sure as hell can't afford an attorney.

Again, What the hell am I supposed to do? What are my rights? Do I even have any?

 

Myself, I'd try calling a lawyer.

 

Wouldn't be the worst idea, that's for sure.

 

Something lost in the translation?

 

Do you have any friends that are lawyers? Friends of friends? Call up a law firm and see if they'll agree to a quick consultation pro bono or for a low fee.

 

Was the car payment addressed in your divorce? Is your ex-wife legally responsible for it? Also, maybe bankruptcy would work toward keeping it, but I don't know that's a road you want to go down. Also, maybe the dealership would be willing to refinance your payments if they can't sell it for what you owe on it anyway.

 

Do you own the car or lease it? You mentioned that your name is on "lease" . If you have leased car than the leasing company really owns it.

I would get hold of contract and see what it says about repossession and your rights.

 

It's probably too late, but no matter how deep you get, always answer your phone and be honest with the creditors. It will always, always, always be less painful.

 

Harley: Every lawyer will do a free consultation, even if it's just over the phone. They will at least tell you what you're facing and what you should do. This isn't complicated.

 

Forgot to mention:

* We went through a bankruptcy in September of last year (and kept the van off of it at the time), so that option is out.

* We borrowed the money through a credit union, so the van belongs to the credit union until it's paid in full.

* We discussed the van payment in our divorce papers, and it was stated that we would each make the monthly payments every-other month.

* Don't have lawyer friends. The lawyer that we went through said bankruptcy charges $75 for a 30-minute consultation. There is very little in this world that is free anymore. =-(

* Towards is a pet peeve of mine. It's toward.

Sorry if I sound like a bitch, but starting this thread seemed a better idea than "Depression Part VII." And my efforts to inject a little humor into a very stressful situation is epic fail.

 

Korleone Young.