Facing Repossession in Utah? It’s Not Over. We Can Protect Your Property.
It could happen at any time. In the middle of the night, while you’re at work, or from the grocery store parking lot. You walk outside, and your car is simply gone.
Your vehicle is your lifeline—it gets you to work, your kids to school, and keeps your life moving. Losing it can feel like losing your job, your independence, and your future. The threat of repossession can leave you feeling anxious and powerless.
But it’s not over. You have powerful legal rights.
For over 40 years, the team at Rulon T. Burton & Associates has been the trusted name Utah residents turn to when they need to stop repossession. We understand the nuances of Utah repossession laws and have helped thousands of clients protect their vehicles and other valuable property. Before you assume the worst, know that there is a legal path to keep your assets and regain control.
This page explains how repossession works in Utah and, most importantly, reveals the single most powerful tool you have to stop it—or even get your property back after it’s been taken.
The Repossession Process in Utah: Understanding a Creditor's Rights (and Your Own)
When you finance a car, furniture, or another major purchase, the loan agreement includes a “security interest,” which makes the item collateral for the loan. If you default on the loan—usually by missing payments or failing to maintain required insurance—the creditor has a legal right to take the property back.
Under Utah repossession laws, this is often a “self-help” remedy, which means a creditor does not need a court order to repossess your vehicle. They can take it from any publicly accessible place without warning.
However, their rights are not unlimited. Creditors must not “breach the peace” during the repossession. This means they cannot:
- Threaten you or use physical force.
- Break into your locked garage or home.
- Cause a public disturbance to take the property.
- Mislead you or use deceit to gain access to the property.
Trying to argue with a repossession agent on the spot is risky and rarely effective. Understanding your rights is the first step, but taking decisive legal action is the only way to truly protect your property.
Your Most Powerful Tool to Stop Repossession Instantly
You have an incredibly powerful legal tool that can STOP the repossession process cold, even if the tow truck is already on its way.
Filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy immediately halts all repossession attempts.
The moment we file your case, a federal protection called the Automatic Stay goes into effect. This is a binding court order that legally forces the creditor to stop all collection activities, including repossession. It provides immediate and powerful protection for your property.
Here’s how filing for bankruptcy with the Rulon T. Burton team provides complete repossession protection:
- Stop Repossession Instantly: As long as we file before the property is taken, your asset is protected by the Automatic Stay. The creditor cannot legally proceed.
- Get Your Property Back: If your vehicle has already been repossessed, you have a limited window of opportunity. By filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy quickly (usually within 10 days of the repossession), we can often force the creditor to return your vehicle to you.
- Restructure Your Payments: Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on missed payments over a manageable three-to-five-year plan. In many cases, we can even lower your interest rate or reduce the total amount you owe on the vehicle down to its fair market value (a process known as a “cramdown”).
- Protect ALL of Your Assets: The Automatic Stay protects not just your car but also your other property from collection actions, lawsuits, and garnishments.
Bankruptcy is not about giving up. It is a strategic legal tool designed to help you keep your essential assets and create a financial fresh start.
Time is Critical—Act Now to Protect Your Property
Unlike a foreclosure, a repossession can happen suddenly and without formal warning. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of losing your car or other property. If your vehicle has already been taken, the clock is ticking on your right to get it back.
The team at Rulon T. Burton & Associates combines decades of experience with a thorough knowledge of Utah repossession laws and a genuine commitment to helping you.
Your initial consultation is completely FREE and confidential. We will review your situation, explain your options in clear terms, and show you exactly how we can help you keep your property and find financial stability.