I recently received this email from a prospective client (“Jane”) seeking to have her student loans discharged in bankruptcy.  Do you see the problems with this case?

I am permanently disabled due to cognitive decline resulting from a craniotomy to repair one of three aneurysms. I also suffer from back pain, anxiety, depression and panic attacks. In addition to my 2012 brain and gallbladder surgeries, I underwent back surgery in 2011 and two foot surgeries in 2010, and due to complications from my back surgery I have not been able to return to work. . I was very recently approved for disability retirement after 25 years as an employee with the federal government.  I also receive SSI.   I filed a chapter 7 in 2008 and am unsure what my options are in regard to having my student loans forgiven. I am seeking a full discharge.

Let’s start with the most immediate problem – currently, Jane’s eligibility to file bankruptcy.  Under Bankruptcy Code Section 727(a)(8), Jane is not eligible to file Chapter 7 for eight years after previously filing a Chapter 7 ¹.  Depending on when in 2008 she filed, she would have to wait until at least 2016 before filing a second case. [Read more…]