If you’re behind on car payments, a car repossession lawyer defense lawyers can help you fight to keep your vehicle and protect your rights. Losing your car can disrupt your ability to get to work, take your children to school, or attend medical appointments. The good news is you have rights and legal options to stop or reverse vehicle repossession in Michigan—but acting quickly is key.
At Kostopoulos Bankruptcy Law, our experienced Warren repossession defense attorneys help Michigan residents protect their vehicles, stop aggressive creditors, and build a clear path to financial stability. We guide you through your options with clarity and compassion so you can protect your vehicle and your future.
At Kostopoulos Repossession Defense Law, we help clients:
Challenge improper or unlawful repossessions by reviewing lender actions for violations
Negotiate with lenders for payment arrangements, loan modifications, or reinstatement plans
Explore bankruptcy options to stop repossession immediately through the automatic stay
Protect your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which prohibits creditor harassment
Our attorneys handle all communications with your lender and develop a tailored strategy to protect your vehicle and your financial future.
Board-certified consumer bankruptcy attorneys with decades of repossession defense experience
Thousands of successful cases protecting Michigan residents from vehicle repossession
Personalized, clear strategies tailored to your financial situation and goals
Comprehensive debt relief services, including repossession defense, bankruptcy, and creditor negotiations
Compassionate, prompt, and respectful client service you can trust
We have helped countless clients in Warren and throughout the Detroit metro area protect their vehicles and regain financial stability.
If you fall behind on auto loan payments, your lender has the legal right to repossess your vehicle, often without advance notice. This means your car could be taken unexpectedly, even from your driveway or a public parking lot.
However, Michigan law protects you during the repossession process:
Repossession must occur peacefully, without threats or force.
Lenders cannot enter a closed garage without your permission.
After repossession, you are entitled to receive notice before your vehicle is sold.
You may have the right to redeem your vehicle by paying the overdue amount plus fees before it is sold.
You can request information from your lender about your vehicle’s status and the steps to recover it.
If a lender or repossession agent violates these rules, you may have grounds to challenge the repossession and pursue damages.
Vehicle repossession can:
Disrupt your ability to get to work, care for your family, or attend medical appointments
Result in additional fees and costs added to your debt
Lead to a deficiency balance (the difference between what you owe and what the lender sells your car for) that you may still owe
Damage your credit, making it harder to qualify for future loans
Increase the risk of wage garnishment if unpaid balances remain
Taking prompt action can help you stop repossession, keep your vehicle, protect your credit, and avoid further financial consequences.
Vehicle repossession can:
Disrupt your ability to get to work, care for your family, or attend medical appointments
Result in additional fees and costs added to your debt
Lead to a deficiency balance (the difference between what you owe and what the lender sells your car for) that you may still owe
Damage your credit, making it harder to qualify for future loans
Increase the risk of wage garnishment if unpaid balances remain
Taking prompt action can help you stop repossession, keep your vehicle, protect your credit, and avoid further financial consequences.
Filing for bankruptcy immediately triggers an automatic stay, which halts all repossession and collection actions while your case is pending.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy:
Stops repossession and allows you to catch up on missed payments through a structured 3–5 year repayment plan.
Enables you to retain your vehicle while making affordable payments based on your income and essential expenses.
Helps address other debts, including medical bills and credit cards, while protecting your vehicle.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy:
Temporarily stops repossession, giving you additional time to explore your options.
Eliminates many unsecured debts, freeing up income that can be used to catch up on car payments.
Does not offer a repayment plan for arrears but can provide immediate relief from creditor actions.
Our team will evaluate your situation to determine if bankruptcy is the best option to protect your vehicle and improve your overall financial stability.
While bankruptcy is a powerful tool, it is not the only way to prevent or reverse repossession. Other options may include:
Loan Reinstatement: Paying past-due amounts and fees to bring your loan current and recover your vehicle if allowed by your lender.
Loan Redemption: Paying the full remaining balance before the vehicle is sold to regain ownership.
Negotiation with Lenders: Working out payment arrangements or loan modifications to make your loan manageable.
Legal Challenges: Contesting improper repossession practices that violate Michigan or federal law.
Our attorneys will assess your case and explain all available options to help you protect your vehicle and financial future.
Car repossession happens when a borrower fails to make car loan payments, leading the lender to recover the balance by seizing the vehicle.
Car repossession happens when a borrower fails to make car loan payments, leading the lender to recover the balance by seizing the vehicle.
Read LessIf you are facing repossession, open and respond to all mail from your lender immediately and consider setting up a repayment plan to address missed payments. Doing so can help you take immediate steps to address the situation and potentially avoid repossession.
If you are facing repossession, open and respond to all mail from your lender immediately and consider setting up a repayment plan to address missed payments. Doing so can help you take immediate steps to address the situation and potentially avoid repossession.
Read LessFiling for bankruptcy can stop repossession by triggering an 'automatic stay' that temporarily halts the proceedings, allowing time to reorganize finances and create repayment plans.
Filing for bankruptcy can stop repossession by triggering an ‘automatic stay’ that temporarily halts the proceedings, allowing time to reorganize finances and create repayment plans.
Read LessA voluntary surrender involves willingly giving up your vehicle to the lender to avoid repossession and minimize credit damage. It can help borrowers in financial distress by providing an alternative to repossession and reducing the impact on credit.
A voluntary surrender involves willingly giving up your vehicle to the lender to avoid repossession and minimize credit damage. It can help borrowers in financial distress by providing an alternative to repossession and reducing the impact on credit.
Read LessTo protect yourself from repossession scams, be vigilant against fraudulent consultants, avoid upfront fees, and never sign documents you don’t fully understand. Always verify the legitimacy of any repossession prevention service and seek assistance from your lender or a HUD-approved financial counselor.
To protect yourself from repossession scams, be vigilant against fraudulent consultants, avoid upfront fees, and never sign documents you don’t fully understand. Always verify the legitimacy of any repossession prevention service and seek assistance from your lender or a HUD-approved financial counselor.
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