Debt Collection on Defaulted Lease

[madelinerock]

What is the name of your state? Ohio and Michigan (the lease, the real estate company and court proceedings are all in Ohio, I live in Michigan and am a Michigan resident)

I have defaulted on a lease and there is likely going to be a judgement made against me sometime soon. I believe that the plantiff (the real estate company) knows what bank I have a checking account at and they may know my account number. I realize that they are going to try and collect money from me but I would like to prolong this as long as possible and protect the little money that I have. Should I close this checking account? Is it safe to open a new checking account at a new bank or will they be able to access that as well? Or would it be best for me to have no bank accounts at all and purchase money orders when needed? Also, my father believes that there is not much the real estate company can do to collect their money because it would require them to cross state lines, but I think that this would not make a difference, does it?

[Ladynred]

If they get the judgment against you in OH, they cannot do anything in MI until they domesticate the judgment (move it) to MI. THEN they can use all legal remedies to collect. If you're sure they know where you bank, close the account and go somewhere else. If they're really determined though, that won't stop them for very long. They can go for a debtor's exam, either thru court appearance or interrogatories, and you will be forced to give them all your financial info.