Can I lose my house for not paying credit cards?

Asked by: Bonita Rosenbaum  |  Last update: July 31, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (30 votes)

If you owe money for most other debts like credit cards and medical bills, you (usually) did not sign a security agreement. So, the creditors cannot seize your home to pay the debt. But, if you want to sell your home and creditors have filed judgments for unpaid debts, you may need to pay those debts before the sale.

Can unpaid credit cards take your house?

Yes, if the credit card company gets a judgment against you and you do not pay it, it can place a judgment lien on your home.

What happens if an estate does not pay credit card debt?

If there's no money in their estate, the debts will usually go unpaid. For survivors of deceased loved ones, including spouses, you're not responsible for their debts unless you shared legal responsibility for repaying as a co-signer, a joint account holder, or if you fall within another exception.

Can a credit card put a lien on your house?

If you own a home, and have fallen behind on your credit cards or other unsecured debts you may be worried about what these creditors can do to collect on the debt. In many states, including California, unsecured creditors can become secured creditors and place a lien on your home.

Can a debt collection agency take your home?

No, a debt collector (Revolving Credit -- Credit Card) cannot go to a debtor's home or place of employment (POE)... However, if the debt is an installment loan (Vehicle or Real Estate), they can go to your home to try and do a repossession...

Let My Credit Card Debt Go To Collections?

36 related questions found

What happens if you never pay collections?

If you continue not to pay, you'll hurt your credit score and you risk losing your property or having your wages or bank account garnished.

Can collection agencies seize property?

If you don't pay, the collection agency may attempt to garnish your wages. They may even seize your property according to the terms of your loan or your credit account's contract.

Can you lose your house because of credit card debt?

If you owe money for most other debts like credit cards and medical bills, you (usually) did not sign a security agreement. So, the creditors cannot seize your home to pay the debt. But, if you want to sell your home and creditors have filed judgments for unpaid debts, you may need to pay those debts before the sale.

Can you lose your house to a lien?

A property tax lien entitles the government to recover its dues by foreclosing on your home if you don't pay your property taxes. Property tax liens take precedence over mortgage liens, so not paying your property taxes may mean you and your lender lose the property.

Can a credit card company go after your house?

A credit card company generally cannot come after your house directly because credit card debt is unsecured debt, meaning it's not tied to a specific asset like a home, says Koontz.

What happens if someone dies with credit card debt and no money?

In most cases, the executor — the person listed in the will as responsible for carrying out the deceased's wishes — is responsible for settling any outstanding debts from the estate. If there isn't a will, the court may appoint an administrator or personal representative to handle it.

Does credit card debt go away after 7 years?

Does credit card debt go away after 7 years? Most negative items on your credit report, including unpaid debts, charge-offs, or late payments, will fall off your credit report seven years after the date of the first missed payment. However, it's important to remember that you'll still owe the creditor.

Can creditors go after family members?

Yes—but only if you co-signed on the debt or are a co-owner based on California's community property laws, as detailed above. Another example: An adult child can inherit debt if their name is on a loan or credit cards that their parent had when they died.

What happens if you walk away from credit card debt?

You Will Have Ongoing Damage To Your Credit

They can also take different actions that can make the situation even worse. Some may report immediately, while others may sell your debt to third-party collection agencies, who will assuredly file to obtain a judgment against you in court.

Can the bank take your house if it's paid off?

Can a bank take property that is paid off? Yes, but it's unlikely. Some reasons are fraud, chain of title issues, existing liens that were never released.

Can they sue you for not paying a credit card?

So, yes, credit card companies can sue you, and if pushed into extreme circumstances, they will. The timeline looks something like this: After 30 days of missed payments, your credit card debt becomes delinquent. After 180 days of missed payments, your debt goes into default.

Does a lien mean they can take your house?

A home lien is a legal claim on physical property (a house) by a creditor. In the case of a general lien, the creditor may lay claim to any and all of your assets such as your home, car, furniture, and bank accounts. In the event of default, the credit has a broad claim against the debtor's assets.

Can a collection agency put a lien on your house?

A money judgment becomes a lien on the judgment debtor's real property. It secures a priority for the judgment creditor when the judgment is "docketed"[1] with the county clerk of the county in which the real property is located. Docketing creates a lien.

How much does a lawyer charge to file a lien?

Given that filing a lien can take a lawyer a number of hours, from researching the case to sending the notice of intent to lien and filing the lien itself, you could be looking at a total cost ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 for one lien.

Can my house be seized by creditors?

Real property includes things like your home or land. Though creditors can legally seize real and personal property that isn't covered by an exemption, this isn't common because it can be costly for creditors. It's more common for creditors to use wage garnishment or a bank account levy.

What can happen if I don't pay my credit card debt?

It can cause your credit score to plummet, making it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards or even rental agreements. The collection account can remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of the first missed payment, even if you eventually pay off the debt.

How to legally stop paying your mortgage?

How To Get Out Of Your Mortgage Legally
  1. Talk To Your Lender. Homeowners who find themselves under financial duress are advised to speak with their lender as soon as possible. ...
  2. Sell Your Home. ...
  3. Request A Deed In Lieu Of Foreclosure. ...
  4. Have A Short Sale. ...
  5. Let Your House Go Into Foreclosure. ...
  6. Strategic Default.

Can credit card debt collectors come to your house?

So – can a debt collector come to your house? The answer is yes, but they have to follow the rules laid out in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They cannot use profane language or threats, and they can't knock on the door during “unreasonable hours,” which are before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

What is the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors?

If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

How likely is it that a collection agency will sue?

While smaller debts are less likely to result in legal action, there are no guarantees. In many cases, though, debt collectors will prioritize larger debts, as they offer a higher return on the time and legal fees associated with a lawsuit.