3 Best Student Debt Lawyers in San Diego County

It’s nearly impossible to find a lawyer in San Diego County that truly understands student loan debt and the options for tackling it. Here’s what usually comes up in an internet search:

• Many attorneys advertise student loan help, but often they’re bankruptcy attorneys 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 Navient, National Collegiate Student Loan Trust, Citizens Bank, and so on.

Although student debt is a massive problem in the United States, there are few lawyers in San Diego and across the country who have experience dealing with complex student debt issues. Even fewer keep up with the federal government’s changes to student loan forgiveness during the Biden administration.

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

Related:

• Student Debt Attorneys in California

• 4 Best Student Loan Lawyers in Los Angeles

Below you’ll find four attorneys in San Diego and the county that may be able to help with your student loans. I haven’t worked with any of them, so I can’t independently vouch for their skill. But each attorney and law firm advertises that they have experience helping borrowers solve problems with federal and private loans.

• Golden & Cardona-Loya, LLP – office in Chula Vista.

• Samuel Henderson – office in San Diego

• Mark Markus – no San Diego office, but helps borrowers throughout California.

If those options don’t work out, you can always schedule a call with me to get my help.

While I don’t have a law office in California, I can help you with most student loan issues. I’ve dedicated my entire career to battling student loan servicers. I can confidently navigate the various loan programs and repayment options offered by the Education Department, negotiate settlements with private lenders and collectors, and file adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court to discharge student loans due to undue hardship.

Related: Student Loan Forgiveness Programs California

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. They also may be able to help with defaulted federal loans, stop wage garnishment, tax refund seizure, and Social Security benefits offset.

Finally, if you can’t score a free consultation with an attorney, try contacting the Legal Aid Society for San Diego, the state bar association, or 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 $32 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. Read more about the Limited PSLF Waiver. 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. Read more about how to apply for student loan forgiveness and the PSLF Program.

• Get out of 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 plans that help give 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.

Besides those things, some student loan attorneys can even help you get rid of your loans in bankruptcy by proving undue hardship. 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 student debt attorneys near San Diego listed above — or schedule a call with me.

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