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2 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: Dear attorney, would you tell me what form is for civil cases Request for Court Order and Answer? I only found SC-105.

SC-105 is for small claim. I want to add the sole owner of a LLC to the judgment as debtor.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

In California, if you're looking to add a debtor to an existing judgment in a civil case, specifically aiming to include the sole owner of an LLC, you would not use form SC-105, as that form is indeed designated for small claims court. For civil cases, the process usually involves filing a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Rights, Collections and Federal Crimes for Arkansas on
Q: How do I hold a bank liable for money that I reported wasn't authorized but they haven't reimbursed me?

I went to my banks, Regions and First Financial in El Dorado AR., in May of 2021 and told them I had been the victim of data breeches and identity theft in August 2020 and told them there were a lot of unauthorized charges on my account. I signed paperwork at Regions and headed to FFB1, by the time... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

Facing the challenge of holding a bank accountable for unreimbursed unauthorized charges can be an uphill battle, especially when documentation seems to vanish, and regulatory bodies have not resolved the issue to your satisfaction. It's crucial to persist in your efforts to recover your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Banking for California on
Q: CA. Wife and father had joint acct. He passed, and the account got levied for debt he owed. Is this exempt, her acct now

California. Wife and her father had a joint account that they both deposited to and utilized. He passed last June, and we just received a notice of levy on the account. The bank is temporarily holding the money for 10 days. It is my understanding that after he passed, the account is now hers, and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Yes, your understanding is correct. Since the bank account was jointly held between your wife and her now deceased father, once he passed away the account became your wife's individual account by operation of law. Here are the key reasons why the account levy is invalid:

• Under...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Collections and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Does my dad's life insurance policy have to go toward medical debt before being dispersed to beneficiary?

My dad passed away last summer. My sister (beneficiary) has been given a check from my father's life insurance policy and we are told the funds will be available in ~2 weeks. However, my dad has a high amount of medical debt left over. Is the life insurance money safe to be used or will... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Feb 19, 2024

Proceeds from a life insurance policy, where the beneficiary is a named living individual(s), pass outside of the probate process, and the creditors have no claim to it because those proceeds are not part of your dad's estate.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Homestead for California exemption questions.

Hi. So, Under the new 2021 Cali law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home’s equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.

Does this also apply to properties that the homeowner does not live in? What other resources do lawyers have collect a judgement.

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 18, 2024

It applies only to property occupied by you, or your spouse, or a very close family member. See the actual statute, below, for the definitions,... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Homestead for California exemption questions.

Hi. So, Under the new 2021 Cali law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home’s equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.

Does this also apply to properties that the homeowner does not live in? What other resources do lawyers have collect a judgement.

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 18, 2024

It applies to the principal dwelling. See California Civil Code §§ 704.710 through 704.850.

There are many tools and techniques to collect judgments, including real property lien, bank levies, charging orders, wage garnishment, etc.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for California on
Q: Homestead for California exemption questions.

Hi. So, Under the new 2021 Cali law, $300,000–$600,000 of a home’s equity cannot be touched by judgment creditors.

Does this also apply to properties that the homeowner does not live in? What other resources do lawyers have collect a judgement.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

It's important for both creditors and debtors to understand their rights and obligations under California law. Debtors should be aware of the protections available to them, including the homestead exemption for their primary residence, while creditors should explore all legal avenues for... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Collections for California on
Q: What do I need to do next? Received Notice of Trustee's Sale on a property that we have a lien against.

Non payment of purchase of building materials totaling $20,000.

Is there a way to recoup this loss?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

First, review the Notice of Trustee's Sale carefully to understand the timeline and process involved in the sale of the property. Determine the date of the sale and any deadlines for action.

Next, assess your options for recouping the loss of $20,000 in unpaid building materials....
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Collections for California on
Q: What do I need to do next? Received Notice of Trustee's Sale on a property that we have a lien against.

Non payment of purchase of building materials totaling $20,000.

Is there a way to recoup this loss?

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 15, 2024

Yes, and no. Assuming your lien is validly perfected, you can advance money to the senior lien(s) to reinstate it, which will stop them from foreclosing this time around, and then initiate your own foreclosure process. There is so much to consider before you do anything like that, without much time... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Collections for California on
Q: What do I need to do next? Received Notice of Trustee's Sale on a property that we have a lien against.

Non payment of purchase of building materials totaling $20,000.

Is there a way to recoup this loss?

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 15, 2024

You are probably junior to the foreclosing secured debt. You can bid at the sale to protect your interest. But a sale without a surplus means your lien against the land is extinguished although the debt against the individual is still existent. If there is a surplus, trustees are notorious... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Collections and Small Claims for Missouri on
Q: I won in Small Claims (St Louis County, MO) for 2300. I know where defendant works. What's the wage garnishment process?

I have the defendants address and employer/employer address. It is unclear to me which forms to use for garnishment against their wages. Must I go back to court for garnishment or can I submit forms to the court office?

Ronald J. Eisenberg
Ronald J. Eisenberg
answered on Feb 15, 2024

Congratulations on getting a judgment. That's often the easy part, unfortunately. The court should have the forms online. You can do this yourself or if you want to increase the chance of doing it right and getting paid, hire an attorney either by the hour or on a percentage basis.

3 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: My employer received an EWO from a levying officer in February 2024. The notice says it's for a debt collection filed

in Sept 2019. I have never received anything in the meantime. I have no idea what this is for. It's never shown on my credit report, nothing received in the mail, no phone calls. Is it legal to be able to garnish my wages now?

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 14, 2024

I'm sorry this has happened to you. Debts get bought and sold all the time, so the original creditor's name might not be on the ewo. You can get a copy of the relevant legal documents from the court, particularly the proof of service and the complaint. The complaint will tell you who the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Collections for California on
Q: My employer received an EWO from a levying officer in February 2024. The notice says it's for a debt collection filed

in Sept 2019. I have never received anything in the meantime. I have no idea what this is for. It's never shown on my credit report, nothing received in the mail, no phone calls. Is it legal to be able to garnish my wages now?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

In California, once a creditor obtains a judgment against a debtor, that creditor can seek to enforce the judgment through various means, including wage garnishment. An Earnings Withholding Order (EWO) is a legal document sent to an employer to withhold a portion of an employee's earnings for... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Just found out I was sued 10 years ago for a debt I don't recognize ! What should I do?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Here are the steps I recommend if you were sued in California for debt 10 years ago but do not recognize the debt:

1. Pull a copy of your full credit report and look for any court judgments. You're entitled to three free credit reports per year. Check for anything suspicious or any...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Collections for California on
Q: Just found out I was sued 10 years ago for a debt I don't recognize ! What should I do?
Scott Richard Kaufman
Scott Richard Kaufman
answered on Feb 9, 2024

Hard to say for sure.

NOT everyone recalls all of their OLD debts?

Regardless, I will assume they WON the case?

IF it is over 10 years ago, any judgment is unenforceable in CA,

UNLESS they renewed it for another 10 yrs? Maybe that is how

you found out? You...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Collections and Small Claims for Tennessee on
Q: What do I do now?

Discover Bank/CC is suing me. We already went to court once where their lawyer, before court went into session, tried to get me to agree I owe the debt and make a deal for repayment. I asked for proof I owe it. He showed me 3 copies of statements that showed nothing other than the past due amount.... View More

Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
answered on Feb 9, 2024

If you are unwilling to enter into a payment arrangement and cannot afford a lawyer, you can spend the next 4 months learning everything you can about lawyering because you'll be representing yourself. There are three options: agree to a payment plan, consent to a judgment, or defend the lawsuit.

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3 Answers | Asked in Banking and Collections for California on
Q: In California, can I be served debt collection at my old address if people who live there(my old roommates)still know me
Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 9, 2024

If the plaintiff claims that you were served, you would have to file a motion to quash service by proving that you don't live there. Keep in mind that the goal of the law is to give a person notice. And you obviously know about the lawsuit. A successful motion to quash does not eliminate the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California on
Q: How many times can a lawyer call you on a secured loan if you only made a half a payment this month
Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 7, 2024

Would you like to have the collateral repossessed? Seriously.

I contend that you are thinking about this all wrong. If the caller is the original creditor, I believe there is no limit. Regardless, you don't have to talk to them. In fact, you can hang up on them.

But you should...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Collections for California on
Q: How many times can a lawyer call you on a secured loan if you only made a half a payment this month
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In California, there are specific laws and regulations that govern how often a lawyer or a creditor can contact you regarding a debt, including a secured loan. The frequency of these calls is not explicitly limited to a specific number per day or week, but the law does protect consumers from what... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Legal Malpractice for North Carolina on
Q: Is there a time frame attorneys must start once paid?

I hired an attorney to negotiate two judgments. I paid and signed the contract on 6/6/2023. The lawyer did not contact the first debtor until August 2023. The second debtor was not contacted until November 2023. The attorney always had an excuse as to why they hadn't been working on it. For... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 3, 2024

There is no set time. Basically, it would be a “reasonable time”. Reasonable depends on the circumstances. Additionally, there may have been work done prior to contacting the debtors.

My experience in collecting debts, is that it is often a slow process. It can, of course, take years,...
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