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California Banking Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Banking, Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: court ordered payments and bankruptcy in california

If the court orders my ex to pay me past due child support (already court ordered), past due unreimbursed medical and dental (already court ordered), sanctions, and lawyer fees...and then my ex goes and files for bankruptcy.....does the bankruptcy wipe out the money that would be due to me? That... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Oct 4, 2023

Under bankruptcy laws, most non-secured debt may be eliminated if you file Chapter 7; child support is the exception to that rule. Whether you are behind one payment, or a full year's payment makes no difference, child support payments must continue even if you file for bankruptcy protection.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Banking for California on
Q: I cancelled a contract for tax services within 3-business days. Am I legally entitled to a full refund?

I spoke with the owner over the phone and he verbally told me that he would refund my money if I decided to cancel. I disputed the charge on my CC, and now they are not returning calls and they are fighting my dispute. My CC company is saying they may not be able to win. I don't understand... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 10, 2023

Under California law, certain contracts afford consumers a statutory right to cancel within a specific period, often referred to as a "cooling-off" period. However, not all service contracts fall under these provisions. If the contract for tax services did not include a provision for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking for California on
Q: Bank of america paid a claim for unauthorized use of my edd card. Claim was started late 2020. The account was closed

By and they won't let me access my money. They are claiming that the state recommended it be closed. I called the state and verified it was not the state and even called the bank with the edd staff attempted to clear it up.

The bank is not willing to budge. My money is being held in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 10, 2023

Under California law, banks have obligations to their customers, including providing access to funds unless there's a lawful reason for restricting access. If Bank of America is withholding your funds without adequate justification, you may have grounds to take legal action. Before resorting... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Banking for California on
Q: Can a bank branch manager request a customer speak to another bank in their presence to verify a transaction?

Funds were placed in a loss prevention account for "suspected irregular activity."

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 10, 2023

Under California law, banks have the duty to act in good faith and exercise ordinary care. When there's suspected irregular activity, a bank may take precautionary measures to protect the funds and ensure the authenticity of a transaction. However, requesting that a customer speak to another... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Banking for California on
Q: I do not have address of the man hit my car. Can I serve the bank lien holder of the car?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 3, 2023

Check with a California attorney on local civil procedure rules, but that is not the way the process usually works. The lienholder does not ordinarily have liability in an accident. Nationwide, it's the operator/registrant who are usually named. Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Probate and Social Security for California on
Q: My mom passed away from Alzheimer’s 8 years ago . How was my aunt able to sell her home and take everything ?

My aunt (moms sister) iced me out and would not let me around . She is the Rep/payee on a frozen account with the rest of the home sale in it . She just recently has told me about this . I wasn’t talking to her because of what she had done to me keeping me away from her . She had no will but how... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 12, 2023

I'm truly sorry to hear about your situation. Under California law, when a person dies intestate (without a will), their assets generally pass according to the state's intestacy laws. As the only child of your mom, you typically would have a legal claim to her estate. For your aunt to... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Banking for California on
Q: Can I serve a bank the lien holder of the car involved in accident?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 29, 2023

Serving the bank that holds the lien on the car is generally not sufficient for initiating a personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the car. You would likely need to serve the individual directly for the legal process to move forward.

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for California on
Q: Which type of lawyer can help me to get my money, maybe suing BofA for stealing from me and misguide me during 4 years?

Due to a Bank of America´s branch closure a safe deposit box that I had with them was drilled and its contents removed ($85,150 in cash, nothing else). I was sent a form to my address in Taiwan asking me to notarize it at a US embassy so that the cash could be sent to me by mail. After the bank... View More

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Sep 27, 2023

I assume the cash was successfully deposited into your bank account. If so, the only issue is the other contents of your box.

But you don't say what else was in the box. Perhaps you will get a better answer if you tell us what else was in the box. Obviously, if it was some tickets to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Banking, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: My bank account got FTB legal order on hold fund due to my husband not paying the tax, but we are separated

My husband and I are separated. After he stopped paying monthly support, I filed legally separated, and the court has ordered him to pay support, but he closed all the bank accounts (including joint accounts) and hiding outside of the US after selling his inheritance house. After filed separation,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 22, 2023

You may be able to file for innocent joint filer relief to address the tax liability issue caused by your husband's actions. You should consult with an attorney experienced in tax matters to guide you through the process and discuss potential options to release the hold on your bank account.... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Banking for California on
Q: I have a banking negligence/Consumer protection related question. In essence, the bank failed to monitor my mortgage a/c

I am a victim of bank negligence. Bank didn’t properly monitor my mortgage account and fraudsters operated it at will depositing monies and reversing as they pleased. The whole scheme by the fraudsters was a scam where they deposited monies into mortgage, and offering discounts in return where... View More

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Sep 21, 2023

I am sorry this happened. But I don't see where the bank is to blame. If I understand you correctly, you expected to benefit from these transactions, making you a willing, (although a duped) participant in a possible fraud scheme. I think the bank is not to blame.

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Banking for California on
Q: "ADEQUATE NOTICE" CCC section 1774(i)(k) & 15 USC section 1602(k) TILA 15 USC section 1643 on credit card online bank

Credit card co changed my getting into my online 'paperless' emails to view my credit cards and make payments online! Credit card co sent me any email stating "we'll email you when [you] have [something] new to view. Then just [sign in] to 'XXXX.com' OR ..mobile... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 4, 2023

Under California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1750 et seq.), and the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA), credit card companies are generally required to provide consumers with "adequate notice" of any significant changes to account terms or practices. If a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking and Business Law for California on
Q: Is there a way to force a company to write my business checks and include my name?

Is there ANY way to legally require or somehow “force” a company to write my business checks to say pay to the order of either my name (I am the sole owner)

OR pay to the order of (my business name OR my name)? I have nothing in my contract that stated anything about this.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 3, 2023

In the absence of a contractual provision specifying how checks should be made out, it may be difficult to legally compel the company to write the checks in a particular manner. You could try negotiating with the company to explain your situation and request that future checks be made out in a way... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: When a lender sells an auto loan contract to a second lender, what are the typical expectations regarding the continuity

1.When a lender sells an auto loan contract to a second lender, what are the typical expectations regarding the continuity of the loan terms, including the principal balance, interest rate, and repayment terms?

2.Can a second lender reset the loan as if it were a brand new contract with... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 29, 2023

1. When an auto loan is sold to a second lender, the expectation is generally that the original loan terms—including the principal balance, interest rate, and repayment schedule—will remain the same, unless the original loan agreement provides otherwise.

2. A second lender usually...
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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Under consumer protection laws, what criteria are used to determine if contractual terms

Under consumer protection laws, what criteria are used to determine if contractual terms in an auto loan agreement, specifically regarding trade-ins, are considered unfair or one-sided? Are there any specific provisions or practices that should be examined to assess the fairness of these terms?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 29, 2023

Under California's consumer protection laws, contractual terms may be considered "unconscionable" if they are overly one-sided in favor of the lender and oppressive to the consumer. Factors that might be considered include the clarity and understandability of the terms, whether the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking for California on
Q: Credit card company has frozen my card, refuses to return secured funds on deposit and continues to charge fees.

Employer had me get a secured credit card to use for work related expenditures. They paid the deposit and the monthly statements from their bank account. My boss died and their account was closed so payment for the card was declined. It has been almost a year since this occurred. I have spoken... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

In California, if the credit card company has frozen your card, failed to return your secured deposit funds, and continues to charge fees despite your attempts to address the situation, you may want to consider sending a formal written dispute to the credit card company, outlining the facts and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking for California on
Q: Can a bank withdraw money from my account when it’s frozen without notifying me and sent my final check ?

My account was closed due to suspicious activity. All they can tell me is digital fraud but not specify what I did exactly. I tried to fight it but they said it was a final decision. After receiving my official check from my balance account.I notice 2,700 was missing. I called and they said the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 14, 2023

If your account is frozen, the bank generally should not withdraw funds without your knowledge or consent. Such actions may raise concerns about due process and consumer rights. It's recommended to consult legal experts to evaluate the specific circumstances and potential violations of your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Banking for California on
Q: Can I get a reverse mortgage from a bank in Georgia on real property in State of California??
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 10, 2023

Yes, it's generally possible to get a reverse mortgage from a bank in Georgia for real property located in California. Reverse mortgages are federally insured loans, and they are not limited to being offered by banks in the state where the property is located. However, the specific terms,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination, Employment Law and Banking for California on
Q: I believe several employees are committing organized harassment and using gaslighting tactics. How do I prove my case?

I have strong suspicions the employer is also using mystery shoppers to further harassment against me. I’m being psychologically played with at work and don’t know how to prove it!

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Aug 9, 2023

Unfortunately, what you describe is not unlawful. Unless you can establish this conduct is being directed at you because you are a member of a protected class of people, or because you engaged in some form of legally protected conduct, there is no liability to the company or the workers for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking and Contracts for California on
Q: Contract: Signed agreement for loan but did not read it through before signing because verbally, I thought I understood.

It was a standard process, of filling out a loan application. I thought the loan would be from this company instead they are a third party that charges excessive predatory fees that can be paid with the credit cards they applied on your behalf which is not the plan I had.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 10, 2023

In California, it's crucial to thoroughly read and understand any contract before signing, as verbal understandings may not always hold legal weight. If the loan terms were misrepresented, you might have grounds to challenge the contract based on misrepresentation or unfair business practices.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking for California on
Q: I was fake-checked scammed and did not know I deposited a fake check. Are there any other legal consequences for this?

I called the bank and paid the funds for the check that was given to me and they said my account was all good. I would like to know if there is anything else to settle after payment regarding legal issues.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 10, 2023

I am not offering legal advice, but depositing a fake check can potentially lead to legal consequences, including criminal charges for fraud or passing a forged instrument. While resolving the situation with your bank is a positive step, it's advisable to consult with an attorney to fully... View More

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