VA Creditor's Rights Flashcards
What is Attachment?
A lien; a process by which a writ (Writ of Attachment) is issued at the establishment of an action, which in turn commands a sheriff to seize property/effects of D to be held as security for P’s judgment against D (can be against D or holders of D’s property)
What is Seizure?
Taking possession of property by legal right or process
What is Levy?
Obtaining physical control over property in pursuance of a writ (“to be levied upon”)
Effect of a Levy?
Seizure of the property from D is NOT necessary, rather sheriff retains a special interest that enables him to keep the property safe and defend it - if one sells, removes, or encumbers property w/ intent to defeat levy, it is larceny
What is Execution?
Judicial enforcement of:
1. Money Judgment, OR
2. Court Order
Which directs sheriff to seize and sell D’s property
VA’s 2 ways to secure or restrict D’s property prior to a judgment so to satisfy any potential claims?
- Attachment before judgment, OR
2. Detinue
Due Process concerns?
- Writ cannot be ambiguous
- Judge issues writ
- P posts bond in case P loses (to indemnify D)
- D must be given PROMPT post-seizure hearing to litigate validity of P’s CoA
Difference between Attachment and Detinue?
Attachment - a contingent lien on D’s property, which could be unrelated to CoA
Detinue - an action for return of specific chattels
What is necessary for Attachment (before judgment “ABJ)? (FIRST OF TWO REMEDIES)
- Must strictly follow statutory guidelines
- P must have legal or equitable claim against D
- P must demonstrate one or more grounds necessary for attachment
VA code lays out 6 grounds for Writ of Attachment
- D is nonresident of VA w/ property in VA (unconstit.)
- D is moving from VA w/ intent to change domicile
- D is taking property out of VA so there will NOT be sufficient property to satisfy judgment
- D intends to or has converted property into money or securities so to hinder or defraud creditors
- D intends to or has disposed of or assign estate so to hinder or defraud creditors
- D intends to or has absconded from VA
Where to file Petition of ABJ?
File with judge, magistrate, or clerk in county of situs
Jurisdiction of Petition
GDC has jurisdiction up to $25,000, but Circuit Court can have jurisdiction of ABJ over $1,000
What MUST be included in Petition?
- State CoA with sufficient certainty so to give reasonable notice to D of particulars
- Allege at least one (of 6) statutory grounds
- Set forth specific facts for allegation
Issuance and Execution of Writ
If judge finds reasonable cause during ex parte review, he issues attachment, which allows sheriff to levy property
How to serve Writ?
Sheriff presents a copy of attachment to the principal D and returns the Writ
Levy on Real Estate
If there is a levy on real estate, attachment must state sufficient description of the land so to easily identify it
Seizure of Property
Possession can be had if:
- P requests seizure in Petition
- P has posted bond at least double FMV of property
How to fight Attachment?
A Hearing to Quash via motion and notice by D
Grounds for Hearing to Quash
- Attachment invalid on face
- None of grounds for attachment exist, OR
- P not likely to succeed on merits
VA Wrongful Attachment
Debtor must show:
1. there was a taking
2. lack of good cause
He shall receive compensatory damages for excessive distraint (excess debt + costs), ALSO can receive punitive damages if malice
Detinue in General (SECOND OF TWO REMEDIES)
Used when one legally aquired property, BUT who retains w/out right (Can be used Pre-Judgment and/or Post-Judgment)
Who uses Detinue in VA?
- Chattel Mortgagees (to enforce security interest) or
2. Trustee of Deed of Trust (Debtor refuses to deliver goods)
What to receive after Detinue granted?
Either:
- D pays the amount of judgment, OR
- D surrenders specific property and P sells in conjunction with ARTICLE 9 of UCC (suit if deficiency is allowed)
Seizure w/out Notice to D?
Hearing W/in 30 days of issuance
- P shows kind, quantity, + value of property
- Reasonable cause property will be sold or altered so to defeat P’s claim
- Reasonable cause P’s claim has substantial basis
Bond?
P must additionally file bond for double FMV
D can have property returned if he does the same
What is Lis Pendens (Memo)?
Gives notice to world about suit against real property
Purpose of Lis Pendens?
Filed at beginning of suit so to put potential bona fide purchasers on notice so they cannot claim priority
Filing of Lis Pendens?
- File Memo and Pay Fee in situs
2. State in Memo - title of CoA, purpose of action, court pending in, amount, description of property, + D’s name
Judgment by Decree
For one to become “judgment creditor”, he must have:
- Decree for Land or Specific Personal Property, OR
- Decree requiring Payment of Money, OR
- Equitable Order
i. e. - alimony
Confession of Judgment
A statutory device whereby D may waive notice and hearing requirement by appointing agent to “confess judgment” to clerk in event of nonpayment
- D can set aside this judgment w/in 21 days of notice
SoL for Judgment Lien?
Within 20 Years of judgment
- can be extended for 20 more years via timely motion
- some exceptions: for value 10 yr, against PR 2 yr
Writ of Possession?
Necessary following a judgment for recovery of specific property (detinue) so a P can enforce his right of possession (real property)
How to create a Judgment Lien?
By docketing the GDC judgment in Circuit Court of city or county of situs.. it gives a RIGHT to LEVY
What is a Fieri Facias (or Writ of Execution)?
A lien for personal property so to levy the personalty