I had a car and it was voluntarily surrendered. The balance owed was 6500.00, but they sold it and left me with a balance of about 3,000.00. For several years of not replying they finally took me to court and I signed off on the amount owed and said I would make arrangements. I did not keep my arrangement and they are now garnishing my checks but the amount is for 18,800.00 because they say that is the interest that has accumulated over the years. Is this legal and what can I do to fight that extreme amount?

Yes its legal and there is little you can do to stop it. Your only real hope is if you can offer a lump sum settlement. Or maybe filing bankruptcy.

You fight it when they took you to court to get the judgement, not now. You waited to long to fight.

Normally you always owe more money after they take you car than you do before they take it. Giving it back normally does not save you anything, just lose a car.

As noted, sold it, but I bet you did not count in legal fees for repo, ( even if you turn it back in) auction costs, and cost of transport to auction.

Then you have legal costs for judgement, and legal costs for garnishment. Then you have interest and other allowed fees. So yes it does go up that large if you ignore the debt and don't do anything.

If you have a job that they can not garnish, they have little reason to consider a settlement, but that may be your best choice to try