Hello,

I began repayment on a direct consolidation loan last november (2012) and used the alternative income documentation, indicating that my wife and I were filing taxes separately. We decided instead to file taxes jointly in april of this year (2013). We are now getting a divorce.

My questions concern what to do about recertifying my payment amount. I will not be able to afford the significantly increased payment that will result from a recalculation based on our joint return. I’m not sure if our divorce will be finalized by the end of this year, and I will likely have to submit for recertification before it would be finalized anyway. Should I contact the dept of ed and ask them what to do?

Should I just wait until I can send in documents, along with my alternative income form, indicating that divorce proceedings are underway so that they will recalculate based only on my income? Will the dept of ed even be willing to consider me single while divorce proceedings are underway?

Will the dept of ed automatically get my joint return or do I have to give it to them? If the latter, it would seem that I could just make my case with my documents. Can I get kicked out of IBR for these issues??

Thanks for any advice provided.