Hi All,FinallyPassedTheBar wrote:I have over $200K in student loans. Some of my loans defaulted years ago. But I rehabbed them and all my loans are now in the income based repayment program. I disclosed it all in the moral character application. It wasn't an issue, they did not ask any further questions about it. I think as long as your loans are current in some sort of plan, then you are good to go. But if the loans are officially delinquent or in default, then the bar might make further inquiry.Underoath wrote:I remember we spoke about this before in regards to can’t find a legal position with a JD but no license. I’m very happy for you. If I may ask how much debt do you have that isn’t student loans? I’m asking because I owe a substantial amount of money through loans. However, my other debt is less than $20,000, and a good portion of that is my car. So I’m hoping I will get someone to clear me as well. Congrats again!Bla Bla Bla Blah wrote:Got a call today from the CA Bar. It wasn't my analyst, but it was whoever they pass the file onto for further review. She asked a couple of questions about my debt. I told her that it was a choice between feeding my kids or paying, so it wasn't much of a choice at all. Discussed my plans to settle the debt once I can find employment with a CA firm and get some steady money in the bank again.
And she approved me. Done with the determination! She said I will be on motion this week, and recieve my swear in packet the following week. I've never totally broken down and cried tears of happiness, but today I was close. Holy shit man! The struggle is real when you're looking for new legal positions and don't have a license.
I should update this because I spoke with the person who was just above my analyst about everything last Tuesday, and was given the thumbs up on my Moral Responsibility. She said that I should take care of my debt as soon as possible, but that she would go ahead and approve me in spite of my current state with credit card debt. When she asked the questions about why I chose not to pay, I let her know that it came down to feeding my kids or continuing paying for the debt that I racked up to secure their custody. So it wasn't really a choice... of course you feed your kids in that situation. I let her know that I plan to settle it as soon as I am in a position to do so, and she seemed satisfied with those responses. By Thursday, everything on my Bar profile had updated to complete (aka, positive moral determination [was indicated on Wed], and the court motion had gone through by Thurs). Just waiting on my swear in documents and then I can start applying to CA firms with some real weight.
To answer questions about this debt, it was at about $36,000 when I finally won custody. Not long after, the payments and debt began to balloon. I would assume I am somewhere north of $40,000 in debt with all penalties included at this point.