“Replevin” is a process whereby seized goods may be restored to their owner. In a replevin case, the Plaintiff claims a right to personal property (as opposed to real property/real estate) which has been wrongfully taken or detained by the defendant and seeks to recover that personal property.
The purpose of the writ of replevin is to allow a creditor to legally retrieve property that secures a debt. Replevin actions in Arizona are governed by Title 12 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
A replevin action is a civil matter subject to the rules of civil procedure. When the case gets to court, the lien holder must establish his right to possession of the property, normally through a contract. He will have to show that the borrower breached the contract, usually due to nonpayment.
For example, a bank might file a replevin action against a borrower to repossess the borrower's car after he missed too many payments. Replevin can also refer to a writ authorizing the retaking of property by its rightful owner (i.e., the remedy sought by replevin actions).
A civil action filed in a limited jurisdiction court is a claim against another party for damages of an amount up to $10,000.00. These lawsuits are designed to resolve civil disputes before a justice of the peace. Parties in a civil lawsuit may be represented by attorneys and appeal their case to a higher court.
The Complaint: The complaint in replevin typically must include: (i) a description of the property to be replevied; (ii) its value; (iii) its location if known; and (iv) the material facts upon which the claim is based – in other words, why the filing party is entitled to seize the property that has been taken.
In contrast to personal property like chattels and motor vehicles, replevin generally doesn't apply to real property like real estate or houses. Real property, such as land, houses, or other types of real estate, is immovable.