Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Connecticut
Time limit and methods CA's are allowed to collect a debt
Suite brought 1988 (auto repossession). Payments made thru auto deduction from paycheck. Defendant retired and payments ceased. Marriage in the interim. 3 years after retirement, Lien was put on property owned by defendent and new spouse. Is there a time limit on this collection and can they put a lien on property that is held by someone not declared in the suite? Propery it house owned by both parties.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Time limit and methods CA's are allowed to collect a debt
The judgment remains collectible for 20 years, so there are still 5 years to go (and anytime before that 20th anniversary is reached the holder of the judgment can renew it by bringing a new suit for the balance of the judgment plus any unpaid interest).
The lien on the house applies ONLY to the 50% owned by the defendant named in the original suit. When the house is sold (or a mortgage refinanced) the debt will have to be paid unless senior creditors gobble up all the equity.