Q: Hi, I recently married in July 2019. My wife
We planned to file joint taxes but a federal student loan she owes from 29 years ago is coming up. We just opened a joint checking 12/20/19. Can our joint account be frozen and money removed for her 29-year-old debit? And will our tax refund be applied to her debit if we file joint? We are in California.
A: Let me just say this: If your wife still has an old student loan debt--from 29 years ago--the first thing she should do is thank the Good Lord for the government giving her the 29 years of low interest loans. The second thing she should do is stop trying to avoid paying the debt. Why? Because--if they have found her-- the federal government's collection agencies will not ever stop trying to collect the old debt--from any and all sources that they can find--including joint bank accounts and joint tax returns. Finally, the Good News is that--by hiring a very experienced lawyer to help--your wife might be able to have the old debt reduced by a large percentage of the current total.
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