Co-signor On The Hook For A Car Loretta Salzano

I cosigned for a car. How do I go about suing someone for $7,000 plus court and attorney fees? The company is going to come after me soon.

-- Anonymous

A. 

Contact your county small claims or magistrate's court to see what the limit is for filing a claim. You're probably within the limit. They can give you the forms you will need to complete to file the action and perfect service upon the defendant. Please keep in mind that just because you win in court doesn't mean you walk away with your money. First you would need to prove your damages, and from your message, it's not clear that you have any yet. Second, even if you win a judgment, you still have to collect. That might mean perfecting your judgment/filing a lien so that you have a right to accounts, wages, real property and other assets of the person who owes you. The clerk of court should be able to help you with that.

I don't want to discourage you. I just want you to consider the blood, sweat, tears and cash you might expend along with your chances of recovery. That is, if the car lender isn't getting paid, you might not either. They needed a co-signor for a reason, and you can't get blood out of a turnip!

You could try hiring an attorney, but you would likely still pay expenses plus would have to share in your recovery. Best of luck chasing your turnip.

-- Loretta Salzano