co-signer for ex wife on van

My boyfriend was married to a girl who bought a van and he co-signed for it. They divorced. She didn't pay her car note so it was repossessed. Now, 12+ years later he is getting calls that he owes $6,000.00 but they will work with him on it. Is there a statue of limitations on this? They can't go after her because she filed bankruptcy. This was in Tennessee.

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Apr 17, 2010
 collection on old debt
by: Gerri

Thanks for submitting your debt collection question on our Q&A page.

I wouldn't get too worried yet. It sounds like this debt is very old. According to the sources I consulted, the statute of limitations for most consumer debts in Tennessee is 6 years.

As we explain in our ebook Debt Collection Answers, if a collector is pursuing you for a very old debt, you can send the collection agency a cease and desist letter explaining that you believe the debt is too old, and instructing the collection agency not to contact you again.

After the collector receives your letter they can't contact you again except to take legal action, which sounds unlikely given the circumstances. If they do contact you again after getting your letter, you can contact a consumer law attorney for help.

I would encourage you to confirm the statute of limitations with a source in your state such as a consumer law attorney or your state attorney general's office.

If the debt collector has threatened you (or in this case your boyfriend) it wouldn't hurt for him to talk with a local consumer attorney with experience in debt collection laws. Find out how to get FREE or low cost legal advice about debt collection from a consumer law attorney here.

Of course, this is meant as educational advice not legal advice. Please let us know what happens.

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