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Can they put a lein on a joint checking and savings account for credit card debt

Can they put a lein on a joint checking and savings account for credit card debt

Q: Can my bank account be garnished if it's a joint account?

Yes, a joint bank account can be garnished if one of the account holders has an outstanding debt. The bank can freeze or withdraw funds from the account to satisfy the debt, even if the other account holder did not incur the debt.

Q: Can a credit card company put a lien on your Social Security?

Generally, Social Security benefits are protected from creditors and cannot be directly liened. However, if those funds are deposited into a bank account, they may be subject to garnishment or lien if the account is joint and one account holder has debt.

Q: Can Social Security be garnished for unpaid credit card debt?

Social Security benefits are generally exempt from garnishment for unpaid debts, including credit card debt. However, if these benefits are deposited into a bank account, they may be subject to garnishment if the account is joint and one account holder has debt.

Full question:

I owe credit card debits from Bank of America. Can they put a lein on a joint checking and savings account? The debit is my own but my wife social security check goes into our savings account and my social security check goes into our checking account.

Category: Debts and Credit
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Georgia

Answer:

This would depend on whether the accounts are at the same bank as the accounts, as well as the terms of the credit and deposit agreements. If a bank is owed money they can generally hold or apply funds you hold in the bank to your debt to them. The fact that it is a joint account usually would not matter since joint means you own it equally with the joint account person.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Can a lien be put on a joint bank account?

Yes, a lien can be placed on a joint bank account if one of the account holders owes a debt to the bank. Since joint accounts are owned equally by both parties, the bank may access the funds to satisfy the debt, regardless of which account holder incurred it.