Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New York

Question

Hi, I was in the professional car repair business 35 years before I retired back in 1999. Recently I did some car repairs as a an individual on some early 1960's cars for a man who came to me first as a private individual car collector and later he became the owner of an incorporated limousine business paying me with business checks. During the course of repairs to 3 of his cars he had a stroke which left him partially brain damaged. The man's greedy girlfriend and her greedy brother have taken over his affairs ( he gave her power of attorney) and have declared the limo company bankrupt, although no official bankrupt papers have been filed. This man owes me over $7000. His cohorts have warned me not to touch the cars that are being stored at a local storage facility they pay for but I have the keys for. I have invested both parts and my labor on these cars and want the money owed to me. I have billed them and called them numerous times but they do not pay. What steps can I take to recover what is owed to me? Can I legally remove the parts I put on the car that were not paid for? If they file bankruptcy for that company can I sue the man himself? looked into mechanics leins but DMV say not unless I am a registered repairer


Asked on 3/29/08, 2:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Markowitz Michael A. Markowitz, PC

Re: Question

Under section 184 of the Lien Law you have a valid lien on the vehicle and may take steps to enforce the lien. However, you must strictly comply with the statute to recover you money.

Mike

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Answered on 3/30/08, 12:31 pm


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