Category Archives: Student Loans

Student Loan Claims Should Be Treated In A Separate Class In Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Plans


By Ryan C. Wood

The following discusses listing and treating student loan claims in chapter 13 bankruptcy cases as a separate class and separate claim all by itself in a chapter 13 plan.  By creating a separate class the treatment of the student loan claims will be different than NOT substantially similar general unsecured claims like credit cards or medical debts.  The advantage of this is designating more of the plan payment to a not dischargeable debt, student loans, than debt that is dischargeable credit cards, medical debt or personal loans for the benefit of the bankruptcy filer.  Arguably the plain, unambiguous language of the Bankruptcy Code allows this.  “If the language has a plain meaning or is unambiguous, the statutory interpretation inquiry ends there.”  CVS Health Corp. v. Vividus, LLC, 878 F.3d 703, 706 (9th Cir. 2017) (citation omitted).

First Let Us Talk Bankruptcy – Broadly Speaking That Is

The filing of bankruptcy is for debtors; the bankruptcy filers.  Not creditors or other parties-in-interest.  Bankruptcy proceedings are intended to give debtors a “fresh start.” Goudelock v. Sixty-01 Ass’n of Apartment Owners, 895 F.3d 633, 637 (9th Cir. 2018) (citing Grogan v. Garner, 498 U.S. 279, 286 (1991)); Dept. of Health Servs. v. Jensen (In re Jensen), 995 F.2d 925, 928 (9th Cir. 1993).  Bankruptcy proceedings are intended to grant debtors a “fresh start,” Grogan v. Garner, 498 U.S. 279, 286 (1991), and, as a result, the Bankruptcy Code “is to be construed liberally in favor of debtors,” In re Devers, 759 F.2d 751, 754 (9th Cir. 1985).

It is less and less likely the Bankruptcy Code will be construed liberally in favor of debtors.  This is a generalization and of course there are plenty of examples of liberal interpretation for the benefit of debtors.  Just like in the real world in which corporations that do not live, breath or die dominate the argument for the almighty buck.  A profit before people is the name of the game and it is pervasive.  How can bankruptcy be immune from this when the largest financial institutions are the main creditor players?  It cannot be.  Interpretations are more and more in favor of large multi-billion conglomerates.

Model Chapter 13 Plans 

Model chapter 13 plans were created and are universally used from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  Some vary widely while others mirror the national model chapter 13 plan.  Unfortunately most model chapter 13 plans do not provide for a separate class listing for student loans.  Some plans do include a section that provides language such as: Class 6 includes designated nonpriority unsecured claims, such as co-signed unsecured debts, that will be treated differently than the other nonpriority unsecured claims provided for in Class 7. The claim holder of each Class 6 claim and the treatment of each claim shall be specified in section 7, the Nonstandard Provisions.  The low hanging fruit is a student loan that is co-signed.  This article does not address this circumstance given there should be no argument that co-signed student loans may be listed in a separate class with different treatment then general unsecured creditors.

As always the time and money to make the argument student loans may be listed in a separate class and treated different than general unsecured creditors could be substantial.  I cannot work for free and almost no client can afford to pay me to make this argument on their behalf.  If it goes bad then the only option is to appeal requiring even more time and money.  So what client of mine has the money to do that?  Try none.  There are always bigger fish to fry for bankruptcy filers and there are absolutely no moral victories.  There is either food on the table or there is not food on the table. 

Additional Provisions of a Model Plan

The additional provisions section of chapter 13 plans is where the terms of the chapter 13 plan can be varied based upon the bankruptcy filers circumstances.  This section was created to bankruptcy attorneys could not sneak in provisions or treatment of claims that are not supported by the Bankruptcy Code.  It is good and bad.  The result is if there are any nonstandard or provisions you need to add to actually present your client well the language is front and center for scrutiny.

If you include language in the “Additional Provisions” section of your model chapter 13 plan the chapter 13 trustee’s office will most likely object to the language and not recommend confirmation of the chapter 13 plan.  Sometimes judges will preapprove certain additional provision additions for issues that come up over and over again to streamline the process and allow chapter 13 trustee’s to recommend confirmation of a chapter 13 plan without a formal hearing.  Otherwise, the trustee’s office will force there to be a confirmation hearing and the bankruptcy judge assigned to the case will make a decision as to whether the language in the additional provision can be confirmed as part of the plan.  This will probably happen even though every creditor was served with the chapter 13 plan and no creditor objected to their treatment in the plan.  What you say!?  If a creditor does not accept their treatment they have to object right?  You would think creditors should have to object to chapter 13 plans and not accept their treatment in a chapter 13 plan.  No, no.  Why hire and pay an attorney to file an objection to confirmation when the trustee and court will do it for you?  At the same time chapter 13 trustees’ and the Court have a duty to uphold the law.  Also, some creditor attorneys do things to just earn a buck that are not necessary and only increase costs of administration of bankruptcy cases.  So I am torn on whether I want creditor participation in a chapter 13 case or not.   I do believe creditors should have to object to their treatment in chapter 13 plans though.       

The Bankruptcy Code

So this is all about interpreting the Bankruptcy Code as it exists.  Arguably the plain language of the Bankruptcy Code provides student loans should be listed as a separate class with their own treatment.  Let me explain.

Section 1322(b)(1) provides:

(b) Subject to subsections (a) and (c) of this section, the plan may— (1) designate a class or classes of unsecured claims, as provided in section 1122 of this title, but may not discriminate unfairly against any class so designated; however, such plan may treat claims for a consumer debt of the debtor if an individual is liable on such consumer debt with the debtor differently than other unsecured claims;

The plain language provides designation of a class or classes of unsecured claims.  So more than one class of unsecured claims can be part of a chapter 13 plan.  Then it says as provided in section 1122.

Section 1122 Classification of Claims or Interests provides:

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a plan may place a claim or an interest in a particular class only if such claim or interest is substantially similar to the other claims or interests of such class.

(b) A plan may designate a separate class of claims consisting only of every unsecured claim that is less than or reduced to an amount that the court approves as reasonable and necessary for administrative convenience.

Section 1122 as referenced in 1322(b)(1) only allows classes of claims of the same nature or character, substantially similar to the other claims or interests of such class.  This is language is plain, taking the ordinary meaning of the words and is unambiguous right?  Okay wonderful; moving on now to defining the key term in the language above.  What is the definition of substantially similar?  Might we have case law on the definition of “substantially similar?”  Yup. 

Various Courts have defined “substantial similarity” to mean the legal nature of the respective claims.  See In re McKenzie, 4 B.R. 88 (Bkrtcy.W.D.N.Y., 1980, Creahan, B. J.); In re Iacovoni, 2 B.R. 256 (Bkrtcy.D.Utah, 1980, Mabey, B. J.); In re Montano, 4 B.R. 535 (Bkrtcy.D.D.C. 1980, Whelan, B. J.); In re Barnes, 7 B.C.D. 961 (D.D.C. 1981). 

So for claims to be listed in the same class they must have the same legal nature of the respective claims.  Student loans are not substantially similar to credit card, personal loans or medical debts in anyway and therefore should not be listed in the same class.

Student loans are really non-consumer debt given student loans are incurred to further ones education and seek higher income.  Student loans are therefore incurred for income purposes or business purposes rather than consumer goods and services. 

Student loans are by law are NOT dischargeable.    

How can student loans possibly be in the same class as dischargeable general unsecured claims like credit card, personal loan or medical debts?  There is nothing substantially similar as to the legal nature of the claims.  So student loans must be listed in a separate class with their own treatment.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a plan may place a claim or an interest in a particular class only if such claim or interest is substantially similar to the other claims or interests of such class.

“…. in reliance of the 15th Ed. Collier’s comment on § 1122, the court held that all unsecured creditors with claims of the same nature or character have a similar right to the assets of the estate.  See  In re Iacovoni, 2 B.R. 256 (Bkrtcy.D.Utah 1980)  Conversely claims of a different nature or character have different rights to assets of the estate.

Plain Language of Bankruptcy Code Is Clear

You have read it for yourself.  How can a not dischargeable debt incurred for entirely different reasons be substantially similar to general unsecured claims like credit cards, medical debts or personal loans?  Clearly the Bankruptcy Code says different types of claims should be listed in separate classes with arguably different treatment.  Furthermore, if you propose a chapter 13 plan with a separate class for student loans and no creditor objects to the plan what is the problem?  If a creditor does not object to their treatment they are accepting the terms of the chapter 13 plan. 

Confirmation of A Chapter 13 Plan With Student Loans Listed As A Separate Class

As mentioned above the chapter 13 trustee’s office will most likely object to confirmation of the chapter 13 plan if the plan lists student loans as a separate class with a separate treatment in the additional provisions section.  See below and Bankruptcy Code Section 1325(b)(1)(B).  As long as the plan is paying all of the debtor’s projected disposable income to be received in the applicable commitment period to unsecured creditors the chapter 13 plan should be confirmed.  A chapter 13 plan with student loans listed in a separate class will still meet the requirement for confirmation as provided in Section 1325(b)(1)(B).       

Bankruptcy Code Section 1325(b)

 (1) If the trustee or the holder of an allowed unsecured claim objects to the confirmation of the plan, then the court may not approve the plan unless, as of the effective date of the plan—

(A) the value of the property to be distributed under the plan on account of such claim is not less than the amount of such claim; or

(B) the plan provides that all of the debtor’s projected disposable income to be received in the applicable commitment period beginning on the date that the first payment is due under the plan will be applied to make payments to unsecured creditors under the plan.

Of course there is more.

Unfair Discrimination

Bankruptcy Code Section 1322(b)(1) provides:

(b) Subject to subsections (a) and (c) of this section, the plan may— (1) designate a class or classes of unsecured claims, as provided in section 1122 of this title, but may not discriminate unfairly against any class so designated; however, such plan may treat claims for a consumer debt of the debtor if an individual is liable on such consumer debt with the debtor differently than other unsecured claims;

Now that we have separate classes you may not discriminate unfairly against any class so designated.  If you are bankruptcy attorney practicing in the Ninth Circuit undoubtedly the case of In re Wolff, 22 B.R. 510 (9th Cir. BAP 1982) will be cited.  This is an absolutely horrible case that really should not be applied to listing student loans as a separate class with a separate treatment.  In Wolf the debtor proposed to treat creditors with exactly the same types of claims and rights differently in the chapter 13 plan.  In Wolf the plan proposed to pay just two general unsecured creditors while paying nothing to all other general unsecured creditors.  Yeah, that is unfairly discriminating against creditors based upon those facts.  In Wolf the debtor treated two creditors more or less as “Critical Vendors” but failed to provide evidence of why the debtor would fail without the different treatment of exactly same type of claim/creditor.  In Wolf the Court provided: “We believe that the better result is that there will be occasions where unsecured claims might be classified and treated differently, even though the legal character of the claims is identical and the treatment is discriminatory, but not unfairly so.”  In re Wolff, 22 B.R. 510, 512 (9th Cir. BAP 1982).  Wolf brought us the following: In re Kovich, 4 B.R. 403 (Bkrtcy.Mich. 1980), and refined in In re Dziedzic, 9 B.R. 424 (Bkrtcy.Tex. 1981), more reasonably sets forth the interpretation to be placed upon § 1322. The test is (1) whether the discrimination has a reasonable basis; (2) whether the debtor can carry out a plan without the discrimination; (3) whether the discrimination is proposed in good faith; and (4) whether the degree of discrimination is directly related to the basis or rationale for the discrimination.

So list student loans as a separate class with the exact monthly amount as general unsecured creditors receive and there will be no discrimination at all; just equal payments to separate classes paying unsecured creditors all of the debtor’s projected monthly disposable income.  Done, chapter 13 plan confirmed leaving the debtor’s right to a fresh start intact and the Bankruptcy Code being liberally interpreted for the benefit of the bankruptcy filer. 

Options For Eliminating or Discharging Student Loan Debts

By

Student loan debts are increasingly becoming problems for graduates once students hit the job market. We have all heard in the news that Congress is discussing student loan debt legislation to reduce interest rates and make paying back student loans possible. Bankruptcy attorneys are seeing more and more potential clients with student loan debts that cannot be paid back based upon the persons income and expenses.

Get rid of your student loans.

There are options to lower, eliminate or discharge student loan debts.

There are options if you have defaulted on your student loan payments. The following are possible options to help get rid of or discharge student loan debts depending upon your circumstances. You are part of the Federal Family Education Loan Program, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program or the Federal Perkins Loan Program. School Closure: If the university or school you attended closed you may be able to have your student loan debts forgiven. You will need to know the dates you attended the school, the date the school closed, whether you were enrolled at the time the school closed and if you completed your course of study. False Certification/Ability to Benefit: Another way to potentially have your student loans discharged is proving that you did not have the ability to benefit from the school program you incurred the student loan debts for. If you did not graduate high school or obtain your GED before being enrolled you have an argument that you did not have the ability to benefit from the course work. You will need to know the dates of attendance of the school, did you receive a GED at the time of enrollment, did the school give an entrance examination to test your ability to benefit from the program and did you complete a development or remedial program at the school? False Certification (Disqualifying Status): If at the time you obtained the student loans you failed to meet the legal requirements for employment in your state of residence in the occupation for which the program of study was intended because of age, a physical or mental condition, criminal record or other reason. Your disqualifying status could be age, physical condition, mental condition, criminal record or some other reason. Total and Permanent Disability: If you claim that you are totally disabled and can no longer work you will need to show that you have little or no ability to engage in substantial gainful activity. You will need medical records to prove your mental of physical impairment. You will need to describe your limitations. Teacher Loan Forgiveness: There is a special forgiveness or discharge for teachers. You must have taught for five consecutive complete academic years at an elementary school or secondary school. This program does not consider school librarians, guidance counselors and other administrative staff as teachers for this program.

Filing Bankruptcy and Claiming an Undue Hardship

In 2005 the Bankruptcy Code was changed to not allow private student loans to be discharged when filing bankruptcy. Student loans can be discharged when filing bankruptcy if you sue the student loan company in an adversary proceeding and claim an undue hardship. Most jurisdictions use the Bruner Test or some variation of the Bruner Test. To prove an undue hardship and have your student loans discharged you will need to prove that: 1) you cannot maintain, based on your current income and expenses a minimal standard of living for yourself and your dependents if you have to repay your student loans; 2) it is likely that the undue hardship or circumstances are likely to continue for a long period of time or a significant portion of the repayment period; and 3) you made a good faith effort to repay the loan.

Filing A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Case

Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case can help to hold off or reorganize your debts. You bankruptcy lawyer will be able to explain the process in more detail. In a Chapter 13 Plan of reorganization you can pay back what you can afford and no more. If your student loan minimum payments are $750 a month and you only have $200 in disposable income to pay you should only pay $200 a month in a Chapter 13 Plan. You will be forcing the student loan companies to take less than what they say is the minimum payment. Chapter 13 plans can last for a maximum of 5 years. After the 5 years is up you will need to make payment arrangements with you student loan company again. You will have obtained 5 years of relief though.

Student Loans and Bankruptcy

By Kitty J. Lin, Attorney at Law

More and more people are going back to school, especially in a bad economy, so they can better themselves and further their education, in the hopes of obtaining that elusive job. In certain situations, that is most definitely true. These recent graduates have more job opportunities than before. However, not everyone achieves these dreams. They are left with hefty student loans and no job, so they have no way of repaying these debts. Unfortunately, most of the time, filing for bankruptcy will not discharge these student loans either.

The Ninth Circuit has adopted what is now commonly known as the Brunner Test, in Brunner v. New York State High Education Services Corp., 831 F.2d 395 (1987, 2nd Cir.). Under the Brunner Test, in order to discharge your student loans in bankruptcy, you need to prove:

1. That you cannot maintain, based on current income and expenses, a ‘minimal’ standard of living for yourself and your dependents if forced to repay the loans;

2. That additional circumstances exist indicating that this state of financial affairs is likely to persist for a significant portion of the repayment period of the student loans; and,

3. That you made good faith effort to repay the loans.

The hardest element to prove is the “undue hardship” test. It is not as easy as it sounds. You cannot merely prove that it is hard for you to repay your student loans. The successful cases had debtors that were never able to work again due to a physical or mental ailment. If you are able to work, chances are, you may not receive a discharge of your student loans. It is advisable that you speak with a bankruptcy attorney or bankruptcy lawyer today from West Coast Bankruptcy Attorneys for a free consultation regarding your student loans. We have offices in Redwood City, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose for your convenience.