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Can filing a Chapter 13 protect the co-signer of my student loan?

I get countless calls from people asking what they can do to about their parents or grandparents who co-signed for them on a student loan and are now facing garnishment, loss of their tax refunds, or even seizure of their bank accounts because they co-signed and the loans have not been paid.

This is a common tactic for debt collection on student loans.  If the student isn’t working – they will go right after anyone who co-signed for the loan.  And they have broad powers – there is no notice required – they can garnish, etc without warning unlike collection of normal debt where there must be a lawsuit filed and judgment obtained first, etc.

It’s pretty well known you cannot wipe out student loans through bankruptcy, but if you file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can stop all action – against you AND against anyone that co-signed for your student loan.  Chapter 13 bankruptcy protects the debtor and co-debtor.  Both do not have to file – just one.  If the co-debtor files it protects the main debtor and vice versa.  For example – mother co-signed for son’s student loan.  Mother files Chapter 13 bankruptcy (maybe even for other reasons) – it protects the son regarding the student loan they both signed for.  Or son files Chapter 13 bankruptcy – it protects the mother.

Click here to read more about how Chapter 13 can help with student loan debt concerns.

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