Q: Can a credit card company place a lien on my car for debt if they sue me?

A: If you are sued in the associate division and a judgment is entered against you, the plaintiff may "transcribe" the judgment to make it a real estate lien. It's not a vehicle lien but the plaintiff my seek an execution to have the sheriff seize and sell the vehicle. Hire a local attorney to represent you if you can.

A: If the credit card company sues you and wins a judgment, they could try to collect that debt by placing a lien on your property, including your car. But they can't just do that automatically—you’d have to lose in court first, and they’d need to take further legal steps to enforce the judgment. That often includes getting a court order and following state-specific procedures.

Because you own your car outright, it’s technically an asset they might target, especially if there’s no other property they can collect from. However, many states offer exemptions that protect a certain amount of equity in a vehicle from creditors. If your state has a motor vehicle exemption and your car's value falls under it, they may not be able to place a lien on it at all.

Getting served papers is serious, and it’s important to respond to any lawsuit within the deadline. Ignoring it can lead to a default judgment, which makes it easier for the creditor to pursue collection methods like liens or wage garnishment. You might feel overwhelmed, but you’re not powerless. There are ways to negotiate or defend yourself, and it's worth exploring your options before anything happens to your car.