Amy Carst is a writer, human rights activist, and speaker. She has written for US News & World Reports, Vice, and various Vermont news publications. She writes for multiple law firms and human rights organizations and studied law until she realized she’d rather write for attorneys than be one. Prior to her career in legal writing, Amy spent several years in insurance and finance. She lives in Vermont with three children and a pit bull called Chompsky.
Articles written by Amy Carst
Debtor Education/Personal Financial Management Course Explained
Written by Amy Carst. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 2, 2025
There are two required courses you must take to file bankruptcy and get your debts discharged. The second course is a personal financial management course, also called the debtor education course. You need to take it and file the certificate of completion with the court within 60 days of your meeting with your trustee. The course teaches skills to help you budget and avoid financial pitfalls after bankruptcy.
Read More →6 Tips for Settling Credit Card Debt Before Going to Court
Written by Amy Carst. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated September 1, 2025
If you’ve been sued for credit card debt, you may still have time to settle your debt before you go to court. Follow these six tips to settle your credit card debt outside of a lawsuit: 1. Remember that the other side is motivated to negotiate. 2. Research the debt and decide what your best option is. 3. Negotiate a settlement. 4. Don’t ignore court papers. 5. Accept that you can’t win them all — have a plan B. 6. Watch out for debt settlement scams.
Read More →Understanding the Brunner Test: Can You Discharge Your Student Loans in Bankruptcy?
Written by Amy Carst. Legally reviewed by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated August 26, 2025
You can discharge your student loans in bankruptcy if you can prove that repaying the loans is causing (and will continue to cause) “undue hardship.” To determine this, bankruptcy courts and judges use what’s called the Brunner test. The test involves establishing whether you: - Would be unable to maintain a minimal standard of living while repaying student loans - Are suffering from circumstances that will make repayment a hardship for the remainder of the student loan term (or permanently) - Have made good faith efforts to repay the student loan(s) The Brunner test is complex. In the past, courts had little guidance to define “undue hardship,” beyond the somewhat vague Brunner test. Late last year, the Department of Justice and Department of Education released new guidelines to clarify this process for federal student loan borrowers.
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