{"argument_date":"2009-12-01T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2009-12-01T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Wanslee argued that student loans are non-dischargeable debts.","Mr. Meehan argued that confirmed plans must be enforced as written.","Mr. Heytens argued that statutory limits self-execute without court action."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-5"}]}],"caption":"United Student Aid Funds, Inc. v. Espinosa","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.936748Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:25.952811Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"Creditors argue that confirmed plans bind debtors to full repayment. Debtors claim hardship allows courts to lower interest rates.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2009-12-01T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2009","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/08-1134.html","primary_docket":"08-1134","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-31T01:50:47.888501Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests whether bankruptcy courts can alter confirmed plans. The dispute centers on student loan interest rates. Creditors seek strict enforcement of plan terms. Debtors seek relief based on financial hardship."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 1, 2009."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 51-3"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["Creditors want the court to enforce the original plan terms.","Debtors want the court to allow interest rate reductions."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["Creditors argue that confirmed plans are binding and final.","Debtors argue that hardship justifies modifying plan terms."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Ginsburg asked if creditors can waive hardship procedures.","Justice Scalia asked if a court error can be undone later."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-5"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the finality of bankruptcy plans. It determines if debtors can escape fixed interest rates. It affects the stability of student loan repayment agreements."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 11-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 11-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 51-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 51-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 23-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 23-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 23-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 23-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 33-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 33-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 51-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 51-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 45-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 45-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 5-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 5-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-1","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 23-1"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 13-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 31-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 31-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 51-5","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 51-5"}]}],"slug":"2009-08-1134-united-student-aid-funds-inc-v-espinosa","term":"2009","title":"Can a bankruptcy court modify a confirmed plan to reduce student loan interest?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 17-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 18, lines 17-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 25-3","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 29, lines 25-3"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/pdfs/transcripts/2009/08-1134.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 27-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}