[ms_harrah]

Years ago, I had a car that I shared with someone, but the title was in my name. The car was bought in Georgia, but I lived in Alabama and that's where the title was from. That person stole the car and hid it from me, and I couldn't notify law enforcement to help me recover it for fear of retaliation.

The loan went into default and since I was not at the address the lender had for me anymore, I never received the notice to appear in court. All I know now is that a court case was held where a relative went to tell them I was unreachable.

Well, now I have found my car..it turns out they just left it with someone, and they said I can go and get it. But I don't know what to do to get my debt to the lender refinanced once I get it back, since my credit was ruined through the default loan.

I make enough money to make the payments and all...how can I set this straight?

Thanks for your help

[Mr. Knowitall]

The car loan is over and done - the default was "years ago", now it's a judgment debt and you're not going to be able to reinstate it. You can ask the lienholder what it would take for them to release title to you.

[ms_harrah]

Thank you for your reply!

I assume the best way to go about contacting the lienholder is through an attorney; should I search for one who specializes in debt consolidation?

[aaron]

Personally, I would just call and ask.

[ms_harrah]

I'm glad you brought that up, Aaron! That's that part I didn't mention yet, which is truly puzzling to me.

When the loan went into complete default, the lending bank, Suntrust, which I believe to be based in Florida, turned the loan over to the collection agency/law firm that represented them in the case that was brought to court in Alabama.

When I found out that there was a court case that I had missed, I tried to call the bank and get the information on which collection agency/law firm was in charge of recovering the debt. My relative that went to court to tell them I was not in the state at that time no longer has the papers from that court case, which identified the law firm representing Suntrust.

The bank's recovery/collections department said they had no record of me ever owning a car through their finance company! So I asked them if they could tell me who represents them in courtcases to recover debt, and I was told that they use many different sources.

I've spent too much money online through these so-called "government records" websites, searching for the details of the court case so that I can pursue the recovery the car and pay my debt. Yet so far, I have found nothing.

I am going to try PACER and see what sort of results I get.

Thanks again for your help...