If an employer has agreed to make your car payments, what happens if you are laid off?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

If an employer has agreed to make your car payments, what happens if you are laid off?

I worked at a company for almost 8 years. I was “let go” of my job in June, out of nowhere. I was never given an explanation as to why I was being “let go”. Well long story, 2 years ago my bosses gave me a raise and was I given a choice of either getting a cash raise or purchasinga new car for which they would make the payments. I took the cardue to my other car was falling apart and my having extremely bad credit. Anyway, the car was purchased under my mom’s name and my company was making the payments. I was planning at staying at my job for the length of the loan contract which was 5 years. My mom purchased a car for herself last year and the finance company needed a letter in writing from the company I worked for, stating that they were making the payments and would continue continue to do so until the car was paid in full. I have a copy of the letter signed by the president of the company. Would this letter by legally binding, that my company is to still be making the payments?

Asked on November 26, 2010 under Employment Labor Law, California

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

You have a very interesting issue.  I believe that you may have an enforceable contract to have your former employer pay off the car.  Are there any other agreements on writing about termination and stopping payments?  Maybe that if you are terminated they would pay it in full?  If not then I would take the letter to an attorney in your area to review and advise as to whether or not it will make it as a binding contract in this scenario.  If they signed the loan agreement I doubt that they would wish that the car be repossessed and that a default is listed on their credit history anyway.  Good luck. 


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption