A 'writ of REPLEVIN" maybe?
You are likely thinking of a writ of REPLEVIN. It's a Court Order for the vehicle to be served on the customer for the vehicle.
YES, its called a writ of replevin.
A "repossession notice" is a civil matter. A police oficer cannot hold the vehicle for repossession. Unless, there has been a court proceeding and the judge has ordered the vehicle held if stopped. A repossession notice also cannot stop the registration of a vehicle.
In some states, most that is at this point. However, most states are also passing or reviewing legislation that would prevent the registration of a vehicle up for repossession, and in some states such as Florida, the registration of any vehicle to a person who has a vehicle up for repossession.
In the state of New York, provided there is a legal order for repossession, once the vehicle is located, it may be secured and recovered. The repossession agency has 24 hours to notify the registered owner of the repossession, but they are only required to do so by mail, and may do so to the address of record on the registration. They do not have to notify anyone at the time of repossession other than local law enforcement of jurisdiction. They must inventory and secure any property contained in the vehicle, and may charge a storage fee for that property.
The amount of time it takes a creditor to obtain a writ of plevin for a repossession varies in each state. Based on the local court jurisdiction, processing times to obtain a writ of plevin may take between 15 and 60 days.
Repossession is what is commonly thought of as a "REPO". A self-help repo is permitted by most states. "Writ of Replevin" is the other legal option that a few states require to do the same thing. The state makes money by requiring the Replevin. BOTH have the same effect on your credit. A repo is where a lender contacts someone to pick up the vehicle. You, at that time, do NOT have to surrender the vehicle. A "Writ of Replevin" is where the lender gets a court order signed by a judge for you to surrender the vehicle. It will be served by a Sheriff's officer, with the repo man in tow, and you will then have to let them take the car. Otherwise, you are in contempt and it is not worth it to defy a court order. That is the only time you have to surrender the vehicle.
Yes you can repossess if you are the soul owner. If the person whom your repossessing the car from gives you trouble, have the police meet you to witness the repossession.
what are the legalities of voluntary vehicle repossession
Sample letter of vehicle repossession for the state of texas
Can it? Yes, by the lender in some case. If the debtor is actively attempting to hinder repossession in many states, or if the vehicle is in possession of a third party who is not on the loan or vehicle registration, then a repossession agent may file a stolen vehicle report. Most will not, preferring to allow the lender to take such action instead.Can it be reported stolen by the debtor once repossession takes place? Often vehicles are reported stolen after repossession happens. However, this is a cautious area. Most debtors already know the vehicle is being sought, and law enforcement takes a dim view of filing false or malicious reports.
I don't think there is a statute of limitation on repossession of a vehicle anywhere as long as there is an overdue payment outstanding.