Judge Awards $10,302 in Vehicle Debt Collection Case

A lender filed a lawsuit against two individuals in connection with an unpaid vehicle debt. The defendants had entered into a retail installment contract for a motor vehicle with a financial institution, which later assigned the contract to the plaintiff, Troy Capital LLC. The plaintiff alleged the defendants failed to make payments on the vehicle, leading to its repossession and sale for $10,300 in October 2015. A deficiency balance of $8,992.93 remained after the sale.

The defendants filed an answer, asserting defenses that included the statute of limitations, payment, setoff or recoupment, and that all conditions precedent had not been performed. The plaintiff presented business records with authenticating affidavits, detailing the contract assignment and the calculation of the outstanding deficiency balance. After several continuances, the case proceeded to a bench trial.

On July 8, 2019, the court entered judgment in favor of the plaintiff, Troy Capital LLC. The court awarded the plaintiff $8,992.93 for the principal amount due, along with court costs, attorney's fees, and post-judgment interest, totaling $10,302.22 plus applicable interest.