RV Voluntary Repossession

You do not mention how old the RV is, whether it was purchased new or used, or if you have other unsecured debt (such as credit cards or student loans) and indicate your credit score is good. I assume you are current on your home payment and all other debts. However, any late payments, repossession, or bankruptcy will affect your credit score adversely. On top of this, you indicate you plan to divorce.

I see the following issues:

1. RV as tax deduction
2. Depreciation of RV
3. Repossession
4. Deficiency Balance
5. Divorce
6. Bankruptcy and Foreclosure

Recreation Vehicle Second Home

According to IRS Publication 936 a motor home (RV) may be considered a second home, which means that the interest on the loan is deductible on your federal tax return. Because tax laws change every year, it is prudent to discuss tax questions with a tax professional to ensure your assumptions about the tax code are current.

Implied in your question is whether the fact that the RV qualifies as a second home also qualifies it for some type of forgiveness of a deficiency balance. In other words, does an RV qualify for short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure? I am not aware of any loan servicers offering deed in lieu or short sale programs for RV owners. Editor's note: See the reader comments below for correction to this statement.

Depreciation

Unless a person has a vehicle loan with an unusually brief repayment period, vehicles depreciate at a rate that is faster than a consumer can pay off the loan. RVs depreciate approximately 30% the moment they are driven off of the dealer's lot. They depreciate another 18% in year one, and 10 percent in year two. They continue to depreciate 5%-6% each year thereafter. Therefore, a buyer who borrows money to buy a vehicle should expect to be upside down for the duration of their loan. The same can be said for vehicle leases.

Repossession

Repossession is where a creditor holding the title to property (vehicle, boat, RV, and so forth) takes possession of the property from the debtor. See the Bills.com resource advise on voluntary repossession to learn more about what voluntary repossession is and the affects repossession has on your credit score.

If a borrower allows a repossession of their vehicle, the creditor will sell the vehicle at auction and apply the sale price to the balance of the loan. If the sale price is less than the balance, this is known as a deficiency balance. The borrower must pay the creditor the deficiency balance plus the cost of the repossession. All of this is spelled out in a loan contract and each state's laws.

You mentioned you live in Florida. In Florida, deficiency balances are governed under Title XL, Chapter 713, Real and Personal Property.

Deficiency Balance

A deficiency balance is an unsecured debt, much like credit card debt, medical bill, or a payday loan. As such, it can be resolved in a debt settlement program. See the Bills.com debt savings center to get no-cost quotes from pre-screened service providers.

Divorce and Debt

You did not mention if the RV loan is in one or both of your names. If it is in both of your names the creditor has the right to pursue the deficiency judgment against one or both signatories. A divorce decree is an agreement between two former spouses, but it is not binding on third-parties or modify existing contracts the parties share.

Bankruptcy or Foreclosure

You mentioned divorce. Couples splitting often sell their home to free the equity and extinguish the mortgage payments. You did not mention if you have equity in your primary home. If you do not, consider the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, which is preferable to foreclosure. Depending on the rest of your financial situation, you may wish to consider bankruptcy. Bills.com has numerous articles on bankruptcy that can help you decide if this is a wise option.

Recommendation

You have many issues to reconcile. Consult with an attorney in your state experienced in debt and divorce. Regarding the RV, consider refinancing your home to pay off the loan on the RV. Or, you may consider keeping the RV and determine its disposition as part of the divorce settlement. If at all possible avoid repossession or bankruptcy, as both will adversely affect your credit score.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

Bills.com