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California Collections Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Hi, my mechanics lien expired on 8/8/2024 but i wanted to enforce the lien. Is there a way I can still enforce it?
Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Nov 5, 2024

What you can do is what you already should have done before the lien expired - you can file a lawsuit, and if you win you can have a judicial lien imposed, and then get a writ of execution to foreclose the lien.

Your lingering problems are two: you have a tendency to sit on your hands, and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Collections for California on
Q: Hello I have an issueMy ex girlfriend is having a trial case in January for malpractice surgery

I 100% supported everything financially and have endured debt on it and still to this day pay it

We are not together anymore and the plan was if she wins debt is owed back to me

That was a verbal agreement but I’m afraid since our fallout in the relationship she will not pay... View More

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Nov 2, 2024

Putting the agreement on paper will be helpful, because if you have to sue her the written agreement should make it a breeze for you to win your case. However, the written agreement itself does nothing to make her pay up - making her pay will require her voluntary compliance or else a court... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Insurance Bad Faith for California on
Q: Can an insurance co. threaten to send you to collections and to ding your credit when they made a mistake and overpaid?

I have been going through cancer treatments and have been on long term disability. The insurance co. made a mistake and are now wanting me to pay back $13800.00 + dollars and have threatened me with collections. Can they ding my credit when we did not enter into a credit agreement with them?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 9, 2024

Insurance companies can pursue overpayments. One option might be to discuss with your state's Department of Insurance in terms of your consumer protections and options, based on amount, nature, and timeline of overpayment. Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: debt collection on apartment rent. Am i responsible for my adult daughter's unpaid rent after i moved out of the apt?

i lived in an apartment for 3 years. I paid rent on time every month, until my adult daughter moved in during covid. She became mentally ill and could not hold down a job. I officially moved out and paid my last months rent. My daughter stayed and did not pay rent for almost 3 years. She is 41 now... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Jul 9, 2024

Thank you for your question!

If your name is on the lease, you are still liable for the rent. You mentioned that rented the apartment yourself, and after you moved out, you were not released from the lease agreement by the landlord. Then, the landlord can collect money from you....
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Collections and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Can attorney for the defendant in a very similar (unlimited civil) case be the agent to receive summon of a new case?

Hi, The defendant has been in hiding; It hasn't been possible to locate him to send the summon for the new case. Both cases are almost identical. Thank you.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 26, 2024

Generally, an attorney for a defendant in one case cannot automatically be considered an agent for service of process in a separate case, even if the cases are very similar.

In California, proper service of process typically requires:

1. Personal service on the defendant

2....
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1 Answer | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Can debt be sent to collections without the person who owes it being formally notified of amounts and dates?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 25, 2024

In California, debt cannot be sent to collections without first notifying you of the amounts and dates. Creditors are required by law to provide you with a written notice that includes details about your debt before involving a collection agency. This ensures you are fully informed about the debt... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Collections and Family Law for California on
Q: If Judgment includes attorney fees, can legal fees to pursue collection be included in Memorandum of Costs?

CA Family Law Court Order against X included paying attorney fees. Order was turned into a Judgment, now domesticated in another state. Can legal costs pursuing collection be included when the Form MC-012 is filed?

In other words, does statute below cover Family Law Court Orders that... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 24, 2024

To answer this question, let's break it down step by step:

1. The original Family Law Court Order included attorney fees against X.

2. This order was turned into a Judgment.

3. The Judgment has been domesticated in another state.

4. The question is whether legal...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Collections and Identity Theft for California on
Q: So my case has been settled how do I collect my money if my attorney don't want to pay me still??
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 22, 2024

To address this situation, here are some steps you can consider:

1. Communicate with your attorney: First, try to have a clear discussion with your attorney about the settlement and payment. Ask for a detailed explanation of why the payment is being withheld.

2. Review your fee...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Collections and Public Benefits for California on
Q: Ok what if my lawyer says that he didn't represent me that I'm impersonating to stop calling them??
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 17, 2024

If your lawyer is claiming that they didn't represent you and accuses you of impersonation, you need to take immediate action to clarify the situation. Start by gathering any documentation or evidence you have that shows the lawyer-client relationship, such as emails, signed agreements, or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Regarding my previous question on collecting a 21 year old debt. The statute of limitations is up in both states-

for a long time- so, If I send a cease and desist letter, how do I do so without “acknowledging” the debt? I seriously think they are just fishing and I would know if there was a judgment. But, how do I find out if I have a judgement against me in another state? Call the county? And if they did... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 7, 2024

Regarding your question about handling a debt that is past the statute of limitations in California and another state, here are a few points to consider:

1. Sending a cease and desist letter: You can send a letter requesting that the debt collector stop contacting you without acknowledging...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Can a collection agency collect on a 21 year old debt? No contact over ten years. Got a letter today from collections.

Collection agency in homestate collecting a debt from 2003/2004.

I have been living in a different state for 11 years w no contact until a letter today..

Is there a statute of limitations? Can they garnish my check if they find my employer?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 6, 2024

In California, the statute of limitations for most types of debt, including credit card debt, personal loans, and medical bills, is four years from the date of default or last payment. This means that if you haven't made a payment or acknowledged the debt in writing for more than four years,... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for California on
Q: Should I use affirmative defense or "other" to explain my bankruptcy in PLD-C-010 form?

I am being sued by a credit card company in California Superior Court. Due to my current financial situation, I cannot afford a lawyer, so I am handling everything on my own. After receiving the summons, I decided to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have already done so. Now, I need to respond to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 3, 2024

In this situation, you should use the "Other" box in the PLD-C-010 form to explain that you have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, rather than using the affirmative defense section. Here's what you can do:

1. In the PLD-C-010 form, check the box for "Other" under the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Collections for California on
Q: Should I use affirmative defense or "other" to explain my bankruptcy in PLD-C-010 form?

I am being sued by a credit card company in California Superior Court. Due to my current financial situation, I cannot afford a lawyer, so I am handling everything on my own. After receiving the summons, I decided to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have already done so. Now, I need to respond to... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jun 3, 2024

I've practiced in several states, from TX and OK, to GA, DE, NJ and PA, and I've always promptly filed a simple Suggestion of Bankruptcy, with the bankruptcy court district and bankruptcy case number, and nothing more. That's always worked.

I recommend it as a show of...
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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Does any collection attorney know how to collect the money from Amazon sellers accounts by a judgment?
Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on May 29, 2024

You do it the same way you collect a judgment from any other defendant. First you must win a judgment and than you execute on assets. However, in the case of Amazon vendors you might have an advantage. The advantage is that you know where the defendant's money comes from and where it is... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Does any collection attorney know how to collect the money from Amazon sellers accounts by a judgment?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 28, 2024

Collecting on judgments can be a complex process that varies based on the specific circumstances.

In general, if someone has obtained a valid legal judgment against an Amazon seller, there are a few potential avenues an attorney might explore to attempt to collect, such as:

-...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Would it be advisable to reach out to a lawyer now to submit a motion to quash, or wait until a default judgment?

I have a question about a civil limited case. I recently discovered that a summons and complaint (civil limited) were served, but not on me. It seems the process server falsely claimed to have served me at a specific date and time when I was actually about 10 miles away, parked in a garage, going... View More

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on May 14, 2024

I can't help but feel that you are going in the wrong direction. A motion to quash etc. is nothing more than fancy dance moves that do not win the lawsuit. It gives you extra time to file an answer or other response to the complaint. That's all it does for you. Are you going to waste time... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Would it be advisable to reach out to a lawyer now to submit a motion to quash, or wait until a default judgment?

I have a question about a civil limited case. I recently discovered that a summons and complaint (civil limited) were served, but not on me. It seems the process server falsely claimed to have served me at a specific date and time when I was actually about 10 miles away, parked in a garage, going... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2024

It's best to act now and not wait until a default judgment. Reaching out to a lawyer to submit a motion to quash the service of summons can help you address the issue promptly and prevent any negative consequences from an incorrect default judgment.

With the proof you have, such as the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Would it be advisable to reach out to a lawyer now to submit a motion to quash, or wait until a default judgment?

I have a question about a civil limited case. I recently discovered that a summons and complaint (civil limited) were served, but not on me. It seems the process server falsely claimed to have served me at a specific date and time when I was actually about 10 miles away, parked in a garage, going... View More

Delaram Keshvarian
Delaram Keshvarian
answered on Jun 2, 2024

Thank you for your question!

If the motion to quash is granted, the case gets dismissed. If a lawsuit gets dismissed twice, the Plaintiff cannot sue you about that claim anymore. You can file a motion to quash and answer together, or separately (motion to quash must be first).

I...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Collections and Child Support for California on
Q: If I have a judgement for child support arrears, can I have the judgement debtor's 401(k) levied?

In my divorce my husband was awarded the marital home, but was ordered to pay child & spousal support. I now have an arrears judgment against him for 6 figures. I am trying to collect on the judgement. He has a 401(k) and two homes, one being in CA where I have my judgement, and another which... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 11, 2024

In California, a 401(k) account can be levied to satisfy a judgment for child support arrears. However, there are specific procedures that must be followed, and the process can be complex. Here are a few points to consider:

1. ERISA protection: Most 401(k) plans are protected by the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California on
Q: What to do if a discovery request was received 30 days after they say they sent it?

I received a discovery request on a debt collection lawsuit on May 4, 2024 by an opposing Counsel, representing JPMorgan Chase Bank. The date on the discovery request is April 4, 2024 and the proof of service also states April 4, 2024 by mail though they have sent it with regular post (and not... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 4, 2024

Given that you received the discovery request after the stated response deadline, you have a few options to address this situation:

1. Contact the opposing counsel: Reach out to the opposing counsel and explain that you received the discovery request on May 4, 2024, which is past the...
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