Can a creditor place a garnishment on a joint bank account when the debt is only in one person’s name?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a creditor place a garnishment on a joint bank account when the debt is only in one person’s name?

My wife’s car was repossed and the account was given to a collections lawyer. We worked out a payment plan with the lawyer but then got a couple of months behind. We stayed in contact with the lawyer. The lawyer has a judgement against my wife. and then placed a garnishment on our joint account for the full unpaid balance (over $9,000). Now we have no money, cannot pay rent or buy groceries for our family of four. We did not have $9,000 in the bank. Our account is frozen and our paychecks are sheduled to be deposited Friday and we will not have access to them.

Asked on March 15, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Mississippi

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

A judgment creditor under all laws under the states in this country can garnish a joint account of a debtor as in your case. There is nothing improper as to what was done. Under the laws of many states in this country, the marital assets of a husband and wife are also fair game to be levied upon by a judgment creditor even if the judgment is against one of the spouses.

I suggest that you consult with an attorney who represents consumers in debt collection matters to assist you with possibly protecting your assets from further levy and possibly setting up a payment plan so you do not have to worry about future levies on your assets.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption