You have no right to hold a person's or business's property as payment or security for a debt unless they actually gave you a security interest in the property (e.g. it was collateral for whatever you are owed). Otherwise, you committing a form of theft (e.g. conversion) and may be sued and/or face criminal liability. If your husband is owed money by the company, the proper way to get it is to sue; that includes suing in small claims court, where the costs are much lower (for example, he can represent himself and not need to hire an attorney; the filing fees are lower, too) and where cases also generally more faster. Good luck.