Q: CAN JOINT ASSETS BE FROZEN OR HAVE A LEIN PUT AGAINST THEM IN PA, IF THE DEBT IS ONLY HELD BY ONE PERSON AND NOT BOTH?MY LONG TERM LIVE IN IS BEING SUED FOR A CREDIT CARD DEBT. I AM WORRIED THAT WHEN THEY GET A JUDGMENT, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FREEZE OUR JOINT CHECKING ACCOUNTS AND PUT A LIEN ON OUR HOME AND TAKE OUR VEHICLE, ALL OF WHICH ARE HELD JOINTLY. I AM NOT AN AUTHORIZED USER OR CO-APPLICANT ON THIS CREDIT CARD.

A: Assuming you are not married, joint accounts can be frozen if a judgment is entered against one obligor/joint owner and the execution is issued by a judgment creditor. You would then have to file a property claim with the sheriff. If you were married, the entire account could be set aside as exempt. However, with just a live-in person on the account, no such protection is offered except that your interest in the account can be protected by a property claim.