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California Collections Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Collections for California on
Q: When can Social Security be garnished to settle a CA & FL family law Court Order money judgment? Pease cite court cases.

Plaintiff filed RFO because ex spouse took entirety of retirement accounts that were split 50-50 in the divorce. CA Court Order stated that Ex breached fiduciary responsibility and to pay plaintiff the dollar amount plus interest and legal fees. Ex has made no payment or payment plan, claiming... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 3, 2024

Given the complexities involved and the potential for both state and federal laws to impact the outcome, seeking tailored legal advice is crucial. This approach will help ensure that any actions taken are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Collections for California on
Q: Can ex spouse IRA be garnished to satisfy a Court Order debt in California.? Please suggest court cases.

Plaintiff filed RFO because ex spouse took entirety of retirement accounts that were split 50-50 in the divorce. CA Court Order stated that Ex pay plaintiff the dollar amount plus interest and legal fees. Ex has made no payment or payment plan, claiming annuities and IRAs are exempt. Note that EX... View More

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answered on Feb 3, 2024

Given the complexity of these issues and the potential for significant financial consequences, consulting with a legal professional who can provide advice tailored to your specific situation is advisable. They can help navigate the legal landscape, including analyzing relevant case law and statutes... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Collections agency closed an inquiry for bad debt charge off and didn't contact myself so I contacted them.

Is the reason they didn't contact me cause they aren't reporting for 6 months? That's what the lady to me on the phone. Also that I need to pay half down of the charged account before end of feb

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answered on Jan 31, 2024

In California, a collections agency is not required by law to contact you before reporting a debt to the credit bureaus. The six-month period mentioned could be their internal policy or a specific arrangement related to your case. It's important to note that while they may choose not to report... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights, Collections and Identity Theft for California on
Q: Unlawful Pawnshop Release and Forgery - Northern California

Discovered mom forged my signature, pawn shop released jewelry to sister's boyfriend. No proper identity verification. Mother's false domestic abuse story hinders retrieval. She sent me a photo with the jewelry. Surveillance footage shows her handing it over when I pawned it. Manager... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 17, 2024

In your situation, several legal issues arise under California law, including forgery, identity theft, and potential liability of the pawnshop. California Penal Code sections 470-483.5 address forgery and identity theft. If someone forges your signature without authorization, it's considered a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Collections and Family Law for California on
Q: Is a CA Order/Judgment considered 'victim restitution' when it's for retirement benefits ex-spouse misappropriated?

In order to garnish SSI benefits, one qualification is that an Order/Judgment should reflect and show on its face it is a "court ordered victim restitution." 42 USC 662(e)(2); 5 CFR 581.305 (a) (3).

Is a CA Family Law Court Order for stolen retirement benefits considered... View More

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answered on Jan 10, 2024

In the context of California Family Law, an order or judgment for misappropriated retirement benefits is not typically classified as "court ordered victim restitution" in the same sense as it is defined for criminal cases. Victim restitution generally refers to compensation awarded in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Business Law and Collections for California on
Q: How long does it take to get a court order to collect money from my personal account after my LLC goes out of business?

My corporation is going out of business but the bank account is $5,000 overdrafted. The bank is closing the account and said that as the owner of the business, I am personally liable for the money owed.

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answered on Dec 23, 2023

Under California law, the time it takes for a court order to collect money from your personal account after your LLC goes out of business can vary significantly. The process begins when a creditor, like the bank in your case, files a lawsuit to recover the overdrafted amount. Once the lawsuit is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Collections for California on
Q: Does failure to pay a CA Court Order or a Florida Judgment qualify as restitution execption for SSA garnishment?

Ex-spouse was ordered to pay a substantial amount in a CA Order for retirement benefits he stole. More than a year later he has not paid. I turned the CA Order into a Judgment to domesticate in Florida where he resides. Generally, SS benefits are not subject to garnishment, but does non-payment of... View More

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answered on Dec 19, 2023

In cases involving Social Security benefits and garnishment, it's crucial to understand the specific conditions under which garnishment is allowed. Generally, Social Security benefits are protected from garnishment, with certain exceptions such as child support, alimony, and some types of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California on
Q: does a bill collector in the State of Kansas that is trying to collect a debt from me need a CA license?

The debt is small but the debt collector does not have a license listed in Kansas or in CA on their website. I asked her about it and she said her firm must be licensed in CA but said she wasn't sure what it was. She told me to go to her website to get it. The website looks fake and there... View More

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answered on Dec 18, 2023

Under California law, debt collectors attempting to collect debts from California residents must adhere to specific licensing requirements. These regulations are designed to protect consumers from unlawful collection practices. If a debt collector is seeking to collect a debt from you in... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: My ex and I signed a car lease together. He was responsible for car payments and has his name on the title.

When my credit health was decreasing, he lied to me about making car payments. It got to the point where I offered and had sent him money to help pay for the monthly. Since he was responsible for the car, he hadn’t told me he put the car through collections either. He’s also lied about the car... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 13, 2023

Under California law, when you co-sign a car lease with someone, both parties are typically equally responsible for the obligations under the lease, including making payments. If your ex was responsible for making payments based on an agreement between the two of you, and he failed to do so, this... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking and Collections for California on
Q: If you have multiple accounts in a bank and a levy is placed on your bank accounts can the debt collector freeze 2

accounts if one of them can more than accommodate the amount of debt they are claiming? And is the SB 616 automatic exemption of a debtor to have $1788 to live on something the bank should have set aside at the time of the levy and withdrawal of funds?

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answered on Dec 12, 2023

When a debt collector places a levy on your bank accounts, they can potentially freeze multiple accounts, even if one account holds enough funds to cover the debt. This is because the debt collector may not be aware of the balances in each account at the time of the levy.

Regarding the SB...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California on
Q: Under a bank levy where you have 2 accounts frozen and the sheriff has come a made a withdrawal of funds from your

accounts, that levy is done. If there is still a balance due to settle the debt is the freeze lifted after the first grab and then gets freezed again on the second levy? Or is the freeze on accounts still there until the total debt is settled?

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answered on Dec 12, 2023

Under a bank levy in California, if the initial withdrawal by the sheriff from your accounts does not cover the entire debt, the remaining balance can lead to further action. Typically, the freeze on the accounts remains in place until the total debt is settled. This means that if the funds taken... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections and Banking for California on
Q: Under a bank levy, after a first grab of funds has taken place is the bank levy still on your accounts if there is still

money due in n the balance?

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answered on Dec 10, 2023

Under California law, after a bank levy has been executed and funds are seized from your account, the status of the levy depends on whether the debt has been fully satisfied. If the initial grab of funds doesn't cover the entire amount owed, the levy can remain active.

This means that...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: How do I contest a debt collection after bad "debt confirmation" has been provided? Provided documents are erroneous, Ca

I contested a debt collection with a rental agency that I almost did business with but never actually did. They responded with a "debt confirmation" but neither of the documents they provided prove that I owe the money. Do I have to go to court? Who would I take to court, the debt... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Dec 9, 2023

Because the validation is not for the purpose of proving that you owe the debt. Proving you owe the debt is the plaintiff's job in litigation.

The purpose of debt validation is to determine whether the amount of the debt is correct in the creditor's files, and whether the person...
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections, Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Former apartment manager reported false charges against me to collection agency

some damages I am responsible for which I will pay. But she also made false accusations stating that I'm responsible 4 certain property damages which is not true those damages were already there when I moved in (I have proof - I took pics of previous damages when I moved in & proof of... View More

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answered on Dec 2, 2023

Under California law, if you believe that false charges have been reported against you to a collection agency by your former apartment manager, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, gather all the evidence you have, such as photographs of the pre-existing damages and copies of emails you... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: How do I answer a summons from a lawyer representing a collection agency that bought a charged off credit card debt,
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answered on Nov 29, 2023

When you receive a summons from a lawyer representing a collection agency for a charged-off credit card debt, it's important to respond promptly. The summons will include a complaint, which outlines the allegations against you, and a deadline by which you must respond – typically 30 days... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Collections for California on
Q: Can unpaid dental premium <$500 be sent to collections and affect your credit score?

The reason I ask is because I know the 3 credit reporting agencies say that medical debt <$500 won't affect your credit.

So even if sent to collections, it won't affect your credit score.

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answered on Nov 26, 2023

In California, unpaid dental premiums, even if less than $500, can indeed be sent to collections. If this happens, it could negatively affect your credit score. When a debt is sent to collections, it typically gets reported to credit bureaus, and as a result, it appears on your credit report.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Collections for California on
Q: Bank paid out overpay of Calpers retiree benefit after death. I rec'd 50%, now Calpers wants payment of 100% from me.

I didn't have any paperwork associated with the deceased, and the bank wouldn't give us his account # or any other info. Bank of Hawaii received overpayment of Calpers retirement of about $17k. Bank told me they would have to return the money to Calpers before the account was closed.... View More

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answered on Nov 20, 2023

In your situation, it's important to understand that CalPERS, as a government pension system, has specific procedures for recovering overpayments. If CalPERS has requested repayment of the full amount from you, despite you having received only half, it may be based on their policy or the legal... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Collections for California on
Q: CA Family Law/QDROs: Under what circumstances can I file an RFO to amend a QDRO to award me entire monthly annuity?

2022 CA Family Law Court Order ordered ex-spouse to pay X amount to me. Ex-spouse has not paid a penny/and informed me will not pay the debt. Ex resides in another state and has no assets in CA. That same court proceeding included dividing an annuity via QDRO. Debt owed by ex is substantial.... View More

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answered on Nov 17, 2023

In California, amending a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) to award the entire monthly annuity might be possible under certain circumstances, particularly if it's to enforce a court-ordered debt. To do this, you would need to file a Request for Order (RFO) with the court, explaining... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Zulily owes us 15k and they are based out of Seattle Washington but they just sold it to Regent LLP in Los Angeles.

Zulily uses owes 15k and we want to sue them in a civil lawsuit. Can we file the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court since the company that acquired zulily is Regent LLP based out of Beverly Hills.

Or do I have to file the lawsuit in Seattle WA?

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answered on Nov 14, 2023

In determining where to file your lawsuit, consider the jurisdiction and venue. If Zulily, now owned by Regent LLP in Los Angeles, owes you money, you may have grounds to file in Los Angeles Superior Court.

This is especially pertinent if the transaction or events leading to the dispute...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Collections for California on
Q: They sent the notice for my restitution hearing to a really old address of my lawyer at the time. Should it be dismissed
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answered on Nov 12, 2023

In California, the adequacy of notice for a restitution hearing is an important aspect of the legal process. If the notice was sent to an outdated address of your former attorney, this could potentially impact the validity of the notice. It's advisable to bring this matter to the court's... View More

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