Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

auto dispute

I had an auto lease for the amount of $30,622.49. After 6 months of payments ($551.00) on time I got a Dui charge and I lost my job. I broke the lease by not sending monthly payments because it was too expensive for a person without a job. Now they want to collect $8,648.22 but I don’t have the car and recently I received a notice stating that the car was sold for $20,000.00 and I have to pay the difference. Do you guys know how to lower that loan amount? Do I really need to pay it if I am not using the car?


Asked on 9/24/07, 6:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Jonas Grant Law Office of Jonas M. Grant, A.P.C.

Re: auto dispute

Your written agreement with the finance company should provide the answers to this, and no doubt provides that you have to pay regardless of whether you use the car, can afford the car, get a DUI or not, etc., but in general, yes, you are going to owe the difference. You may be able to negotiate a lower payoff amount or a payment plan with the lender, but there may also be adverse consequences for your credit as a result. This aspect is beyond this forum, because legally you are likely obliged to pay.

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Answered on 9/25/07, 3:26 pm


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