My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Massachusetts.
My father and step-mother bought me a vehicle back in 2011 (which I did not ask them to buy for me, they decided it on their own). I made out a promissory note that was notarized that I would pay them $260/month until it was paid off. I made payments on time for the first year and then things became difficult money wise after being out of work for a disability and then ultimately being layed off in 2012. I was then fired from a job in 2013 for reporting another employee being involved in illegal activities. I am currently suing this company. ''
I finally found a part time job in April, 2014 and went full time in Sept, 2014. After this, it was "catch up time". I have been paying $20/month faithfully. I know it's not much but I am make a genuine effort. I am divorced, only live on 1 income, live in overdraft with my checking account, don't go out to eat, go on vacations, do not buy things I don't need because I don't have the money. I don't live an extravagant lifestyle by any means.
The vehicle is titled, registered and insured in my name. My father's name & step-mother's names are not on this vehicle at all except for the promissory note. I even have a note from my father stating to "pay what I can". Since my lawsuit from my previous job looks winable, it is moving along, I have been honest with my father about this and told him I would pay him everything that is owed to him once I win.
He tried last year to repossess the vehicle, but when he was told by the police that he could not come onto my property and repossess because his name is not on the vehicle and it would be considered stealing the vehicle, I had to put a No Trespass Order on the both of them. My step-mother has threatened to kill me if I don't pay her. I have had to get a restraining order on her. They have also called a lawyer in the past to send me 2 letters that I should pay more. I told them I would pay $50/month, that wasn't good enough, they told me $75/month, I told the lawyer to shove it and that was the end of it.
I now got a notice in the mail that I have to go to small claims court for this. I owe $8300, the courts in MA say they can only collect up to $7000 plus $150 court fees. If it takes me the rest of my life, I plan on paying every dime back just so I don't have to go through this. Since I am paying $20/month and they did put it in the complaint that I was paying this amount, does anyone have any idea what the clerk magistrate might do or what happens in these cases? I assume they can't take the vehicle because it's not in their name. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much.

