Question by Failing From Within: Bank trying to take my car Help?
My sister has been leasing vehicles since she was 16 from the same bank. She is now 39 years old and still leasing. She had two vehicles until recently she got a divorce. The ex husband took the vehicle and pretty much destroyed it and got it repoed. She signed for the truck so it only affected her credit. Now that she almost has the truck paid off “13k left” and she is at the end of her lease, the bank is demanding a $ 5000 downpayent in order for her to keep paying on her vehicle. Is this right? Can they take her vehicle if she cant come up with the downpayment? The bad part is they just informed her of this last week and gave her 1 month to come up with $ 5000. How crazy is that? She is a single mother with 2 kids and lives in michigan which has one of the highest unemployment rates. She has been struggling like the rest of us and the bank is trying to screw her over. She will be getting her income tax soon which would cover the down payment so I told her to talk to the bank to work something out. Her friend was going to give her $ 2000 to help and my sister offered that to the bank.. and they turned it down. So I’m not sure how any talking will help. Does anyone have any advice? I would greatly appreciate it.

Best answer:

Answer by Fig Newton
It really doesn’t matter what her personal situation looks like. She signed a lease that explains all the conditions including purchase options and lease termination. The bank isn’t trying to screw her. I’m certain the bank is just following the terms of the lease. Banks just can’t cave into everyone with a hard luck story. If they did just once then everyone would be coming in with a hard luck story.

I doubt they just told her last week, she probably just doesn’t remember what she agreed to on the lease. There’s probably conditions on the lease regarding mileage and condition. She might be required to turn in the car and pay for any damages and extra miles. So, yes, they can take the car but it wouldn’t hurt for you to read the original lease paper work.

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