California Student Loan Debt Lawyers for Forgiveness, Settlement, Repayment Help & More

Updated on December 20, 2024

Quick Facts

  • California has experienced attorneys who focus on federal repayment plans, student loan forgiveness, and handling disputes over private loans.

  • Stanley Tate is a top-rated student loan debt attorney in California. He’s also known for training other lawyers, making him a leader in the field of student loan law.

  • For many student loan issues—like consolidations, wage garnishments, or forgiveness applications—you don’t always need a local attorney, as these can often be handled remotely.

Overview

If you’re in California—whether in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, or anywhere else—expert lawyers like Stanley Tate, Jay Fleischman, Fitzgerald & Campbell, and more can help with student loan issues and make things easier for you.

Here’s how they can help:

  • Stop wage garnishments so money stops being taken from your paycheck.

  • Find loan forgiveness programs that could lower or even erase your loan balance, especially ones that work well for California borrowers.

  • Set up a repayment plan that fits your budget so your monthly payments don’t feel overwhelming.

At Tate Law, we assist student loan borrowers nationwide, including many in California. Read on to see how we can help with your student loans.

Related:

Five Best Student Loan Debt Attorneys in California

Every student loan problem is unique, and so are the attorneys who address them. Some focus on specific concerns, like forgiveness programs or repayment plans, while others handle a little bit of everything. Whatever your needs, these trusted California student loan lawyers are here to help.

1. Tate Esq, LLC

Specialty: Focused exclusively on federal and private student loan law. We’ve developed proven strategies for loan forgiveness, cancellation, settlements, and even bankruptcy discharge, helping borrowers reduce millions in student loan debt over the last decade.

Why Choose Us: Stanley Tate, our experienced attorney, has helped thousands of people with student loans. We know the rules inside and out and have real experience solving problems like qualifying for forgiveness, negotiating settlements, stopping wage garnishments, and deciding if bankruptcy is the right choice.

Ideal For: Borrowers facing student loan issues, including qualifying for forgiveness programs, stopping wage garnishment, private loan settlements, or exploring bankruptcy options. If traditional solutions haven’t worked, we specialize in finding permanent fixes.

Contact: Visit tateesq.com/book-a-call or call 314-884-1886.

2. Jay Fleischman

Specialty: Jay Fleischman is a lawyer based in Los Angeles who focuses on helping people with bankruptcy, student loans, and other debt problems. He has years of experience dealing with debt collectors, fixing credit report mistakes, and exploring bankruptcy options that work for his clients.

Why Choose Him: With over 25 years of legal experience, Jay has been instrumental in training over 300 attorneys in student loan law. He is known for empowering his clients by providing clear guidance on managing their debts and understanding their rights against creditors.

Ideal For: Borrowers struggling with various forms of debt, including student loans, who seek personalized strategies for debt relief and management.

Contact: For a free consultation, call (866) 787-8078 or visit MoneyWise Law.

3. Fitzgerald & Campbell

Specialty: Fitzgerald & Campbell is based in Santa Ana and focuses primarily on bankruptcy law, providing assistance to borrowers facing overwhelming debt. They offer services related to Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings.

Why Choose Them: The firm is recognized for its client-centered approach, helping clients understand their financial options and manage the bankruptcy process effectively.

Ideal For: Borrowers seeking relief from debt through bankruptcy solutions and those looking to regain financial stability.

Contact: More information can be found on their website or by contacting (844-431-3851).

4. Golden & Cardona-Loya, LLP

Specialty: Located in Chula Vista and San Diego, this firm specializes in student loan law, offering services to help clients manage both federal and private student loans.

Why Choose Them: The attorneys at Golden & Cardona-Loya have experience negotiating with servicers and obtaining favorable outcomes for borrowers, including loan discharges and settlements.

Ideal For: Borrowers facing issues with their student loans, including those who have been sued by lenders or are seeking loan forgiveness options.

Contact: Call (619) 476-0030 for a free consultation or visit their website for more details.

5. Wadhwani & Shanfeld

Specialty: Los Angeles-based attorneys offering solutions for student loan debt through bankruptcy, deferments, modifications, and forgiveness programs.

Why Choose Them: Experienced in managing complex processes like the Brunner test and loan forgiveness applications, they tailor strategies to help borrowers achieve debt relief.

Ideal For: Borrowers in Los Angeles struggling with overwhelming student loan debt, seeking relief through bankruptcy, repayment adjustments, or federal forgiveness programs.

Contact: For a complimentary consultation, call 1-818-658-2669 or visit their website for more information.

Unlike any firms that stick to bankruptcy or generic debt solutions, Tate Law Firm takes a broader approach. We handle everything related to student loans, whether it’s loan modifications, debt settlements, forgiveness programs, or other solutions.

Compare California Student Loan Lawyers

Feature

Tate Esq, LLC

Jay Fleischman

Fitzgerald & Campbell

Golden & Cardona-Loya, LLP

Wadhwani & Shanfeld

1. Coverage

Nationwide

Nationwide

Southern California

Southern California

Los Angeles

2. Federal Loans

Specialized in all programs

Forgiveness, bankruptcy

Bankruptcy-focused

Forgiveness, servicer disputes

Bankruptcy, deferments, forgiveness

3. Private Loans

Yes

Yes

Limited

Yes

Yes

4. Focus

Exclusive focus on Student loans

Debt, credit issues, student loans

Bankruptcy and some student loans

Student loans, lawsuits, settlements

Bankruptcy, loan modifications

5. Consultation Fee

$200 (includes actionable strategy)

Free

Free

Free

Free

What Can California Student Loan Lawyers Do for You?

If you’re dealing with challenges like wage garnishments, legal action, or forgiveness applications, a California student loan lawyer can provide the support and guidance you need to resolve your loan issues.

Here’s a breakdown of how they can help:

Immediate Support for Urgent Needs

  • Get Out of Default: Falling behind on your federal student loans can trigger wage garnishments, Social Security offsets, and even tax refund seizures by the Department of Education. Attorneys help with loan rehabilitation and consolidation to get you out of default, lower payments, and keep access to loan forgiveness programs.

  • Defend Against Lawsuits: If your student loan lenders are suing you, attorneys will examine the type of loan involved, develop legal defenses, and negotiate settlements or dismissals that can save you money and protect your financial future.

  • Negotiate Private Loan Settlements: Private loan borrowers in California often face rising interest rates and unmanageable monthly payments. Attorneys negotiate directly with student loan servicers to settle your debt for less than you owe, potentially saving you thousands of dollars and relieving financial stress.

Long-Term Planning and Relief

  • Qualify for Loan Forgiveness Programs: Programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the Department of Education’s one-time account adjustment for periods in forbearance or deferment can erase a significant portion of your federal student loan debt. A skilled attorney ensures you meet program deadlines, comply with requirements, and avoid common pitfalls.

  • Lower Monthly Payments: Federal student loans offer Income-Driven Repayment plans, which cap monthly payments based on your income. Attorneys help you choose the best plan, submit accurate paperwork, and stay on track toward loan forgiveness.

  • Discharge Loans in Bankruptcy: It’s true that discharging student loans through bankruptcy is challenging, but it’s possible in cases of undue hardship. Attorneys can guide you through filing bankruptcy and presenting a strong case to prove repayment would prevent you from maintaining a minimal standard of living.

Many borrowers I’ve worked with in California started out trying to manage their student loans by themselves—applying for programs or negotiating with loan servicers. This often led to mistakes that made their situation worse or delayed the help they needed.

You don’t have to handle everything by yourself. A student loan lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and move forward with a clear plan.

Related: When to Hire a Student Loan Lawyer

Help with Private Student Loans in California

We’ve helped many clients lower their private student loan balances by 35-60%, often in just six months, by working directly with lenders like Navient and Sallie Mae. Here’s how we approach it:

  • Personalized Solutions: We take a close look at your situation and come up with a plan that fits your needs.

  • Quick Results: Most cases are settled quickly, so you can get the relief you need without waiting forever.

We don’t handle regular bankruptcy cases like Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, but we do specialize in adversary proceedings. This can help you get your loans forgiven if they’re causing serious financial hardship.

How We Help:

  • Proving Hardship: Using the Brunner Test, we show that you’ve done your best to pay your loans but just can’t because of your financial struggles.

  • Negotiating for You: We build strong arguments to get the best possible outcome for your case.

Private student loans are tough—they often come with high interest rates and rigid terms. But we know how to handle these challenges, and we’re here to help you get back on track.

Related

Cost to Hire a Student Loan Lawyer in California

How much you’ll pay for a student loan lawyer in California depends on your case’s complexity.

At our firm, we don’t offer free consultations because of high demand of our services, but we do use flat fees—so there’s no guessing about costs.

Here’s a general idea of costs:

  • Lower-Cost Services: Helping with federal loans, lowering student loan payments, recertifying income-driven plans, or exploring forgiveness options.

  • Higher-Cost Services: More complex situations like negotiating private loan settlements or handling student loan bankruptcy cases.

Call us, and we’ll explain the cost after reviewing your situation.

Student Loan Lawyer California FAQs

Where can I find a reputable student loan lawyer in California?

You can find experienced student loan lawyers in California through legal directories, referrals, or firms specializing in student loans. Many offer services in cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco and provide virtual consultations statewide. Look for lawyers with experience in both federal and private loans.

What are the legal options for dealing with student loan default in California?

If you’ve defaulted on student loans in California, you can explore options like loan rehabilitation, consolidation, or negotiating a settlement. For federal loans, rehabilitation programs can remove the default. A student loan lawyer can help you stop wage garnishments and find the best solution for your situation.

Is it possible to discharge student loans in bankruptcy in California?

Yes, but it’s not easy. You’ll need to prove undue hardship through an adversary proceeding and meet specific criteria, like the Brunner Test. If you’re considering this, a student loan or bankruptcy lawyer can guide you through the process and determine your chances of success.

Bottom Line

If you’re in California and need help with student loans—whether federal or private—or want to lower your monthly payments, we’re here to guide you.

We offer virtual consultations across the state, giving you expert advice from the comfort of your home. Consultations aren’t free, but they include personalized strategies to help you move forward with confidence.

Take action today—schedule your consultation, and let’s work toward resolving your student loan challenges.

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

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