i entered a lease purchase agreement but the property was stolen. i want to pay off the lease but not at those prices. now they are threatening criminal charges. is thsi lega?
2007-10-05 09:41:32 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure they can't file criminal charges unless they have proof you deliberately damaged or sold the property or are lying. Sounds like they're just strong-arming you into paying off the lease.
You are liable for paying the property in full, unless you purchased a liability damage waiver (like a kind of insurance against this sort of thing). So, they will be able to bill you to death and ruin your credit report until you pay it off.
Do you know any law schools near you at all? If so, I would definitely search on the school's website to see what they have in terms of legal clinics. Basically, at a clinic, law students (alongside professional lawyers) work for free to get experience. They're generally very enthusiastic and nice and could give you advice and options. They also might contact the company up on your behalf (which might get the company to back off and stop harassing you), and maybe you guys can reach a more amiable payment agreement.
Good luck!
2007-10-05 10:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this something that you lease/purchased from one of those stores that sell TVs, furniture, washer/dryers to people who can't qualify for credit? If so, those people have heard it all before. Do you think that no one has ever leased something before and claimed that it was stolen? My son worked at one of those places when he was in college, and he heard that excuse almost everyday from someone. Once you default on payments at one of those kinds of stores, there is no negotiating. You are required to return the merchandise immediately, or pay off the full price of the contract. If they can make a judge believe that you are lying or hiding the merchandise, or have transferred ownership of it to someone else, then yes, they can make a criminal case out of it. Will they be able to prove it? Probably not.
2007-10-05 09:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would seek legal help. I am sure they could do something but i do not know if it would be criminal charges. I would if i was you i would call a lawyer that deals with this feild and ask the lawyer.
GOOD LUCK.
2007-10-05 09:45:38 · answer #3 · answered by son_not_jr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be sued. You cannot be charged with any crimes.
Do you have homeowners insurance? If so, you may have coverage for the loss.
2007-10-05 09:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋