Legal Question in Consumer Law in New Jersey
Anti-deficiency Law and Automobiles
Does the state of NJ have anti-deficiency laws relate to repossessed automobiles?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Anti-deficiency Law and Automobiles
I'm not sure what is meant by anti-deficiency laws. The statute of limitations for a debt like this is 4 years under the Uniform Commercial Code in NJ. As such, as long as you did not do anything to extend it, you have an affirmative defense to any lawsuit which you must raise in response to it. You may also have your own claims to raise if you are sued. If the plaintiff is not the original creditor and acquired the debt after default, then it may meet the definition of a debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The attorneys who file the suit may also meet the definition of a debt collector under the FDCPA. If either of them are debt collectors, then in addition to you not having to pay anything for the repo, you may also have claims to raise under the FDCPA for filing suit against you on a time-barred debt. If you do, you may be entitled to up to $1,000 in damages against each debt collector, plus any actual damages you may have suffered and attorney's fees. Feel free to call me for more info or visit my website: www.njconsumerfraudlawyers.com
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