Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington
what is the statute of limitations on vehicle repossession in Washington State?
I had a car repossessed 5 years ago and they are now trying to collect the debt and threatening garnishment. payment plan offered is too high for me to make. what are my rights?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: what is the statute of limitations on vehicle repossession in Washington State?
The Statute of Limitations on collection for consumer debts is six years.
Collectors cannot, by law, threaten you with actions they cannot take. They are not lawyers, and they cannot garnish your bank accounts or your wages without a court order so authorizing. If they are making those threats, contact Washington's Attorney General and file a complaint. Who knows - you could be the eighteenth person to complain about this collector today, perhaps the AG will pull their license.
That said, based on what facts you relate the debt is not stale and you can still be sued on it.
Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell
Re: what is the statute of limitations on vehicle repossession in Washington State?
I am not a WA lawyer, but in most states, there are ways to keep the debt active, or to refile the action (depending on the state) so the debt never really gets too old to collect. You see this more with larger debts. Small ones are eventually written off by the creditor