Replevin can also refer to a writ authorizing the retaking of property by its rightful owner (i.e., the remedy sought by replevin actions). Replevin may be ordered as a final judgment, or in some jurisdictions, as a provisional remedy.
Creditors use replevin actions to recover collateral when debtors default on secured loans. For example, a bank might file a replevin action against a borrower to repossess the borrower's car after he missed too many payments.
When filing a replevin suit, the plaintiff must provide evidence that they are the rightful owner of the property in question and that it was taken without justification or consent.
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.
File a motion for a writ of replevin. The motion must be accompanied by an affidavit or verified complaint that supports the allegations in your complaint. The affidavit must also state that you will post a replevin bond with the court. The amount of the bond will be set by the court.
That means you are liable for the entire balance, plus interest and late fees. It would be up to the bank whether to reinstate that loan. As part of that process, they are certainly going to ask for information from you that will enable them to learn where you are repossess the car.
The "right of reinstatement" is somewhat unique to California. "Reinstating the contract" means curing the default that led to the repossession (usually catching up on your missed payments) and paying any repossession related fees. You get your car back and resume monthly payments like normal.
So how long will a repo man look for a car? The answer is simple — until they find it. Therefore, rather than hiding your car, it's probably a better idea to look for different solutions to stopping repossession. If you want to keep your car and are in financial trouble, talk to a bankruptcy attorney.
What Happens If the Repo Agent Doesn't Find Your Car? But if you make it hard for the repo agent to get it, then the creditor may use another method to get the car back, called "replevin." Replevin can be just as costly as a repossession, if not more so.
Continue searching: The lender may continue to search for the vehicle, either through the repo agent or by hiring a private investigator. File a lawsuit: The lender may file a lawsuit against the debtor to recover the outstanding loan balance.