Horizons Law Group Launches Student Loan Defense Practice

Brookfield, Wis. – As economists cast wary eyes on the national burden of student loan debt, Horizons Law Group has launched a new, unique practice for student loan defense, led by an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

Laurie A. Bigsby, a Pewaukee resident, has more than two decades’ experience representing clients in personal finance matters, including Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases, and administration of probate cases. Her student loan solutions practice centers on a cutting-edge area of law with $1.2 trillion in student loan debt hanging over the nation’s economy. Eerily similar to the mortgage meltdown, digging into these cases often uncovers illegal harassment of borrowers, missing or forged documents, and loans sold off into securitized trusts.

“My clients are working-class people who sought a good education, and often took out multiple loans to pay for it,” Bigsby said. “They don’t know where to turn when loans go into default and threatening, abusive calls from collectors begin. My student loan mitigation practice creates room to renegotiate payment plans, and sometimes dismiss the debt outright if fraud or illegal practices are discovered.”

Student loan litigation overwhelmingly involves private entities - usually a financial institution or other third party, Bigsby said. Sometimes private school loan money is provided directly to a student. Non-federally funded student loan debt is treated the same as credit card debt in Wisconsin. After four to six months of missed payments, accounts are often turned over to collectors. A court order is required to garnish wages for repayment, unlike federally-backed student loans.

Defenses to collectors’ lawsuits vary, depending on circumstances, Bigsby explained. The history and documentation behind loans are reviewed closely. The quality of a school’s education can be contested. Schools go out of business, taking debts with them. Collectors might engage in illegal practices.

“My sole focus is that clients are treated fairly, and allowed due process to seek a resolution,” she said.

Bigsby is a 1988 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law. She holds B.A. degrees in business administration, and personnel and labor relations, from Indiana University – South Bend. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin Bar, active in its Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Section, and Public Interest Section.

Founded in 2000, Horizons Law Group, LLC, is a pioneer law firm offering full representation and unbundled services for legal needs commonly encountered by consumers and small businesses. Its attorneys focus on family law and divorce, bankruptcy, civil and consumer matters, employment, probate, foreclosure defense, student loan defense, real estate, small business, estate planning, and divorce mediation and collaborative law. The firm’s main office is in Brookfield. More information is available at www.horizonslaw.com.