debt abroad

interestfreeing

My American wife and I got married a year ago. We both live and work in the UK, but she has a lot of debt back in the USA from student and other loans - all in all around $150,000. At the moment we're trying to put all her income towards repaing her debt and effectively we're living from my income. However, times are hard and the exchange rate is not helping! I knew about her debt, which is quite common in the US, before we got married but didn't think dealing with it wouldbe so difficult. Sometimes it just gets so overwhelming that we don't know if it will ever end. Starting a family or getting a house seem so distant, almost impossible. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

DarkConvict

I do not believe USA debt can be collected if you are in the UK, it is upto you to pay, they can't force you. If you have no intent on returning to the USA, you could cease payments although it would probably mean you could never return as they would get a court order to demand payment on your return.
She could also consider filing for bankruptcy in the USA if there is no hope of repaying them in a reasonable time.

The USA has statute barred (6 year rule) on debts been enforceable in court although it varies by state - http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-state-statute-limitations-1282.php . Remember this is a UK forum although most help is directed at England/Wales as Scotland has different laws.

That is quite an amount to pay off, so post up an SOA so we can see what you can afford, and if you can actually pay it off. http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html