Any advice that is helpful is greatly appreciated.
Long story short, my mom who is now 84 years was asked by my nephew to co-sign a student loan about 8 years ago. His father, my brother has been divorced from his ex wife for about 10-15 years now. My mother wasn't exactly thrilled, but she figured he was smart and co-signed. A few months later her ex daughter in law came to mom's house and told her she needed to sign more papers for student loan. My mom went and signed the papers. She later found out through creditors that she had also co-signed two additional student loans, one for her other grandson from this marriage and one for her ex daughter in law.
Today my mom was just served papers concerning one of these loans. She has been harrasssed for the last 3-4 years and in just the past year it has really stressed her out, so much that even her Doctor asked her about what is causing her health to suddenly deteriorate. I contacted Federal Administration on Aging and they gave me a legal aide number, but I am unsure how much they will be able to help. I feel this was elder abuse, but mom is too proud to admit this. I have researched and Bankruptcy won't help her. She was not told too many details of these student loans after her initial signature, we believe any signature later were most likely forged, she also thinks the loans were private, not federal. We live in California, so would this be a route to pursue, since the Statute of Limitations does apply to private student loans (I think). She has spoken to the legal aide, but is waiting for more information, but they did ask if she could make small payments, which on social security, no she can not afford this. The two grandsons are now 25 and 26 and keep changing majors, still in school and unwilling to work. They will not answer her phone calls or letters or from anyone from our side of the family, including their father. Is there any thing she can do?
Long story short, my mom who is now 84 years was asked by my nephew to co-sign a student loan about 8 years ago. His father, my brother has been divorced from his ex wife for about 10-15 years now. My mother wasn't exactly thrilled, but she figured he was smart and co-signed. A few months later her ex daughter in law came to mom's house and told her she needed to sign more papers for student loan. My mom went and signed the papers. She later found out through creditors that she had also co-signed two additional student loans, one for her other grandson from this marriage and one for her ex daughter in law.
Today my mom was just served papers concerning one of these loans. She has been harrasssed for the last 3-4 years and in just the past year it has really stressed her out, so much that even her Doctor asked her about what is causing her health to suddenly deteriorate. I contacted Federal Administration on Aging and they gave me a legal aide number, but I am unsure how much they will be able to help. I feel this was elder abuse, but mom is too proud to admit this. I have researched and Bankruptcy won't help her. She was not told too many details of these student loans after her initial signature, we believe any signature later were most likely forged, she also thinks the loans were private, not federal. We live in California, so would this be a route to pursue, since the Statute of Limitations does apply to private student loans (I think). She has spoken to the legal aide, but is waiting for more information, but they did ask if she could make small payments, which on social security, no she can not afford this. The two grandsons are now 25 and 26 and keep changing majors, still in school and unwilling to work. They will not answer her phone calls or letters or from anyone from our side of the family, including their father. Is there any thing she can do?
