<p>I am an associate’s degree registered nurse, and I am currently finishing my bachelor’s in nursing. I’d like to go to law school, but I have a divorce and bankruptcy in my past. Will this affect my being accepted into law school? </p>
<p>Any information will be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks,
rnlaw</p>
<p>The bankrupty may affect your credit worthiness, which may make it hard for you to be able to get the loans you may need to pay for law school (a major source of your financial aid).</p>
<p>Depending on when the bankruptcy occurred and the causes for the bankruptcy, it may also have a negative effect on your ability to become employed after law school. Many law firms and other legal employers will run background checks, including credit checks, before hiring new employees.</p>
<p>Of course, that’s not to say that no one with a bankruptcy in their past has worked for a law firm. Again, it will be a circumstances-driven situation.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, though, that there are restrictions on discrimination for having exercised your legal right to file for bankruptcy (not providing you with legal advice here, but it’s something you should verify with your bankruptcy lawyer). Employers may be validly concerned about mismanagement of money and you might be asked to explain the circumstances for the bankruptcy, but they can’t refuse to hire you just because you filed for bankruptcy. Sybbie made a great point about your ability to get financing for law school once you’ve been admitted. One of my kids is applying now, and the tuition costs have terrified me…</p>
<p>I know bankruptcy is something that’s asked about on many state bar applications–since lawyers are in a position to look after their clients’ money, the bar wants to make sure it only admits financially responsible people. But as previous posters have said, it is not impossible to become a lawyer after bankruptcy.</p>
<p>Divorce is no problem at all.</p>