- February 23, 2018
- Thomas Adam
- Student Loans
Student loan debt is a growing problem in the United States as the cost of higher education and difficulty obtaining employment with a reasonable salary combine to make life difficult for college graduates. As of 2018, American citizens owe over $1.4 trillion dollars in student debt, outpacing the nation’s multi-billion dollar credit card debt. Student loan debt can create a crippling burden for people of all ages, eventually leading to the need to consider bankruptcy as an option for financial relief. There are some things you should know if you are considering filing for bankruptcy in order to discharge your student loans.
Past Student Loan Bankruptcy Law
Laws concerning student loans and bankruptcy are notoriously complicated, with several changes occurring over the past few decades adding to the general confusion. Prior to 1998, students who were experiencing financial difficulty repaying their loans could have their obligations discharged through bankruptcy. The decision was made in order to ensure that those filing for bankruptcy were repaying a portion of their debt. The change in law made it extremely difficult for borrowers to discharge student loan debt because the federal government wanted to reduce the number of debtors walking away from their financial obligations.
Current Discharge Options
It is still possible to discharge student loan debt, but the process is more complicated than discharging other unsecured debts. A borrower who has attempted to make repayments and who has lasting extenuating circumstances that create a hardship may be eligible for student loan discharge. An Adversary Proceedings may be filed, but obtaining a favorable outcome could be difficult, especially if a co-signer is involved. The term “hardship” was not clearly defined and many debtors who attempted to have their student loans discharged were disappointed.
Changes to the Law
The growing student debt problem has increased the call for reform, and it is possible that bankruptcy law will change again. The United States Department of Education recently released a statement that indicated discharging student loans might become easier. That does not guarantee that bankruptcy law will change, but the concern over high default rates leads some to believe that the option for discharge will become possible. Though only 11% of those with student loans actually default, those who find themselves in default often spend years trying to shoulder the massive financial burden associated with returning their loan to good standing as interest mounts.
Adam Law Group
Bankruptcy should be the final option for those who are unable to pay their student loan debt. For those who are struggling to make payments, meeting with a qualified bankruptcy attorney is one way to find out what choices are best for their unique situation. The team at Adam Law Group is here to give you the legal advice you need during this difficult time. Call our office today to schedule an initial appointment to discuss your needs so that we can begin providing you with legal advice.