Friday, August 19, 2011

California Debt Liability when Spouses Separate

The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Act (RFDCPA) and other consumer acts in California treat debt of separated spouses the same as when they were together but the practical differences are extensive. California civil code takes the earnings of both the husband and wife into account while disbursing with the legal points.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal act constituted in 1977 to establish fair debt collection practices. The RFDCPA is the California state statute, also adopted in 1977 to regulate the conduct of debt collectors and to prohibit California debt collector harassment.

“The California statute prohibits numerous deceptive, dishonest, unfair and unreasonable debt collection practices by debt collectors, and it also regulates the form and content communications by collectors to debtors and others.” (The California Statute)

According to the RFDCPA, creditors also are covered under the term “debt collectors” whereas according to the federal statutes an original creditor is not covered under the FDCPA. The RFDCPA along with other California family law statutes governs the debts in divorced and separated marriages. It is expected that the separating parties settle the division of property and debts on their own. In the absence of this mutual agreement, California family law and the RFDCPA interfere in helping the grieving parties to come to a decision.

According to the California laws, the debts incurred during the married period which is before separation, are liable on the community. Whether the husband or the wife incurs the debt for their personal use or for family, the community is liable for the repayment. The name on the bill or credit card statements also is not a concern, but if it is incurred during the time of their married life, both the spouses are equally liable.

While the concerned parties are consulting for a settlement, all debts should be divided equally. The grieving parties can work out different options like one person takes a major share in the property in exchange to paying off the joint debts. Since both spouses are responsible for debts owed jointly, it would be required of the spouse paying off the debts to be regular in payments.

California debt collector harassment after the separation is distressful when you are already dealing with the trauma of a separated marriage. While the family courts may resolve your separation issue and your property division, it would require a lot of patience and resilience for the husband and wife to work out a debt payment plan amongst themselves.

California debt collector harassment can be at its worst when you have separated and have debts to repay. Though it is inevitable to go on an emotional roller coaster to cope with both separation and debts, thinking clearly and logically would help both parties.

Complaints About California Debt Collector Harassment

There has been a tremendous increase in California debt collector harassment complaints. Since 2006 to 2010, California debt collector harassment complaints have risen by 194%. In 2010, 10,914 lawsuits seeking relief under the FDCPA were filed by or for consumers.

The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) is equipped with additional protections for consumers when they are dealing with debt collectors. Problem of abusive collectors has been on the increase with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Common complaints include harassment by debt collectors who call consumers repeatedly, use threatening or profane language and threaten consumers with illegal actions if they do not pay them the money they demand.

In addiction to all the protections that the federal FDCPA provides, the RFDCPA imposes additional stipulations on debt collectors communicating about your debt to your employer or other outsiders. There is also an additional provision for protection when a collector is attempting to collect on an already cleared debt through bankruptcy. California debt collectors are quite often very aggressive in attempting to collect on wiped out debts.

If you are illegally served with a summons and complaints related to a debt, the RFDCPA protects you. The California debt collector harassment laws demand that a debt collector cannot file a lawsuit against you in another state, county or location that is far from where you live, unless the concerned debt was incurred in that location.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and private attorneys impose the RFDCPA to protect you from debt collection harassment. While it is necessary for you to take calls from debt collectors, the RFDCPA strictly prohibits harassment of any form. The Act restricts debt collectors' calls to prior agreed time. Calling during night or any other inconvenient times is considered a violation of the RFDCPA. Debt collectors are required to send all communication to you in sealed envelopes and not by postcards. The collector must disclose his name and reason for calling as also notifications with information about the amount you owe, the name of the creditor and process to follow if you dispute the bill.

If you have been a victim of the above violations and/or more, you may consult a private attorney. An attorney would directly represent your interests. You may contact attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center® who have helped thousands of victims of California debt collector harassment to put a full stop to debt collector harassment.

About Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center®
The law firm of Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center®, was founded in 1995 by attorneys Adam Krohn and Greg Moss, to provide legal representation to consumers with defective vehicles and products. In 1998, Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center® consumer fraud practice started, concentrating in auto fraud claims such as odometer setbacks, auto dealer financing scams and vehicle history misrepresentations. In 2002, FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) violations became an additional focus of the firm, in their efforts to assist victimized consumers with credit reporting and debt collection issues. Krohn & Moss Consumer Law Center® has arbitrated, settled and litigated cases which have had a profound impact on consumer protection law.

Contact:
Krohn & Moss, Consumer Law Center®
10474 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 401
Los Angeles, CA 90025