I’m considering re-joining the service, but have a bit of a quandry that nobody’s able to answer for me.
My truck is leased. I’ve got 3 years left on my contract.
In the case that I am sent overseas, what the hell do I do? I don’t think that I can just drive down to the local dodge dealer and turn it in at the end of term, if I were to be allowed to take it with me at all.
Is there some kind of provision to allow me to break the lease due to military orders? Preferably one that doesn’t end up with me dropping several thousand dollars in early termination fees.
My apartment lease will be terminated without penalty if I join the military or, if I was already enlisted, I get orders to relocate. This has something to do with the Soldiers and Sailors Act of 1946 or something… Perhaps your lease has a similar clause.
You also have to find out if the country where you’re going to be stationed will permit the vehicle to enter. Japan, for one, has numerous restrictions.
I’d call the base legal officer and ask. Funny you should mention this: my son is going to Iceland with the military and has a cell phone contract. He’s checking to see if he has to pay a forfeiture fee. Post here if you find the answer. It’s true the Soldier’s and Sailors Act does release military personnel from certain contracts when they are transferred.
It’s the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, which does have a provision for termination of leases. But it looks like that only applies to leases “covering premises occupied for dwelling, professional, business, agricultural, or similar purposes.” Maybe there’s some other law?
From what I’ve been able to dig up so far, the most likely source of relief for my particular case is in 50 U.S.C. APP. § 590. Of course, I am not a lawyer, so my interpretation could be far off kilter.
In keeping with the K.I.S.S. policy, yes. I did read my contract. There is no mention of provision for early lease termination without penalty for military members stationed overseas.
In general, if there is no provision in the contract about this, if ist is considered to be of a personal nature then it would not be assignable. For example, If I hire you to do some work for me you could not send me someone else beacuse I hired you because you were you. But a contract with no such nature would generally be assignable.
I do not know how a court would look at this. If you propose to transfer the lease to a person who meets all the specifics they required from you (credit, safety rating etc) I do not think they could refuse. In the very worst of cases they may ask you to sign as guarantor, so you would be on the hook if the assignee defaults.
I think if you find someone to take over the lease and have a frank talk with the leasing company, you should be able to transfer it. They are not interested in repossesing the car.
I would say ask the leasing agent - Dodge. I mean seriously, they are people, and can be social engineered. Joining the military and being transferred is not “skipping out”, and they should be willing and able to accomodate you if they are not real Ass Goblins about it. And if they are, calls to Chrysler may pave the way for a smooth exit. And if not, contact a local “Call for Action” thing in your newspaper and/or TV.
“Local man wants to serve his country…and Dodge is giving it to him up the butt. Spelling Amerika with a ‘k’! Tonight at 6:00…”