3 Best Student Debt Lawyers in New Jersey

Finding a lawyer in New Jersey who can help student loan borrowers is difficult. Here’s what usually comes up online:

• Many attorneys advertise student loan help, but often they’re bankruptcy lawyers whose practice area focuses on filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

• They can help defend lawsuits from private student loan lenders but have limited experience negotiating settlements with lenders like Navient, National Collegiate Student Loan Trust, Citizens Bank, and so on.

The truth is that there aren’t many lawyers in New Jersey or across the nation who know how to solve complex student loan issues. Even fewer lawyers keep up with the changes happening with student debt relief and cancellation opportunities offered by the federal government.

Ahead, I’ll share with you the three best student loan attorneys in New Jersey and more.

Need help with your student loans? Schedule a call to speak with me if you’d like help figuring out your options. In about ten minutes, you’ll better understand the paths you can take to resolve your situation.

I recommend a handful of attorneys based on my knowledge of their experience specific to student loan problems.

Full disclosure, I recommend myself first. Why? I’ve fought student loan servicers my whole career. I know the Education Department’s repayment and forgiveness programs like the back of my hand. I’ve negotiated hundreds of student loan settlements with all sorts of private lenders and debt collectors. And I’ve probably filed more successful student loan undue hardship cases in bankruptcy than any other attorney in the nation.

If you’re set on working with an attorney or law firm close by, then the other attorneys listed below may be able to help:

• Stanley Tate – I don’t have a law office in New Jersey, but I help borrowers throughout the state with federal loans and some private student loan issues.

• Terry Richardson – office in Woodbury.

• Joel Spivack – office in Cherry Hill.

• Ed Hanratty – office in Freehold.

If you can’t score a free consultation with an attorney, try contacting the Legal Services of New Jersey. The organization may be able to help you stop wage garnishment, protect your bank account from a lien, and put a stop to harassment from a debt collection agency.

Another option is to contact The Institute of Student Loan Advisors. TISLA offers student loan borrowers free, neutral, and accurate resources and mentoring to ensure they can successfully manage their debt.

You can also contact a local law school to see if they offer free or low-cost legal assistance.

Learn More:

• How Much Does a Student Loan Lawyer Cost?

• Can a Lawyer Negotiate Student Loan Debt

A student loan lawyer evaluates your federal and private loans and then provides legal advice to help resolve the issue you’re facing. They can help you:

Qualify for forgiveness. Since President Biden took office, the Department of Education has eliminated over $25 billion in student loan debt by improving existing student loan forgiveness programs. For example, it erased the debt of thousands of full-time government and nonprofit employees locked out of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program because they had the wrong type of loan. The department also recently promised to give millions of borrowers credit towards income-driven repayment plan forgiveness, regardless of whether they were ever enrolled in an IDR plan or made any payments because their loans were in deferment or forbearance for years. Read more about how to apply for student loan forgiveness and the PSLF Program.

Get out of student loan default. Federal student loan borrowers can use consolidation or loan rehabilitation to return their loans to good standing. The right choice for you depends on your financial goals, whether you have an active wage garnishment or are trying to buy a home and need to clear CAIVRS to get a federally-backed mortgage. Read more about what happens if you default on student loans.

Negotiate a settlement. It’s possible to settle federal and private student loans once you fall behind on payments and default. A lawyer experienced in working with student loan servicers and debt collectors can help you negotiate a lump-sum settlement that saves you thousands of dollars and avoid paying taxes on settled debt. Read more about how a lawyer can negotiate student loan debt.

Lower monthly payments. The Education Department offers several student loan repayment options, like income-based repayment, that help gives borrowers affordable monthly payments. But the eligibility requirements for the plans can be confusing, especially if you’re married, retired, self-employed, or are worried about qualifying for loan forgiveness. Read more income-driven repayment plans and the IDR account adjustment.

Defending a student loan lawsuit. Private student loan lenders regularly sue the borrower and cosigner in state court to recover money owed for defaulted student loans.

Proving undue hardship in bankruptcy. Getting a student loan discharge in bankruptcy is challenging. To get a fresh start, you usually need to pass the Brunner Test. And that means you have to convince the bankruptcy court that you can’t maintain a minimal standard of living for yourself and your dependents while repaying the loans. Read more about bankruptcy and student loans.

Learn More: How to Get Rid of Student Loan Debt

If you’re looking for help with your loans or managing your student loan payments, consider contacting one of the New Jersey student debt attorneys above — or schedule a call with me.

UP NEXT: Student Loan Bankruptcy Lawyer: What You Need to Know