Frozen Bank Account

[fre5h5tart08]

My question involves personal finance in the State of: NY

Recently my bank account was frozen by a debt collector. I didn't receive any paperwork saying that they were going to freeze my account or anything. I had a judgment against me for this debt, but I thought since I was paying the Sheriff's department on another debt I wouldn't have to start paying this one until the other was paid off. I had my unemployment checks being directly deposited into that account and I know they are exempt, but I still cannot access them because the account is frozen. All of my money and most of my boyfriend's money was in this account and now I am struggling to pay my monthly bills (rent, car, electric, cable, insurance). The debt collector will not negotiate or set up any kind of payment schedule with me and insists that I must sign over all my funds to their company. What should I do? I need this money to live. Also, if I don't sign over the money the debt collector said that they will go to court and get a court order to take the money anyway, if that happens, will they also take my unemployment money?

[LawResearcherMissy]

What should I do?

Get a lawyer.

Unemployment compensation is usually exempt, as is money that is not yours (your boyfriend's), but it can be pretty hard to prove who owns what when you co-mingle funds, and if they can get an order to take it all, they won't stop to ask if any of it is exempt.

You need an attorney to advocate for you.