I am in a state of complete depression with my debt situation. I was married to my ex wife for five years. We have been divorced for about two now. She remarried a week after our divorce, and I am dating a beautiful young lady but we won't talk about marriage until my debt is paid off with my ex and I. We foreclosed on our home during the divorce. The mortgage was wiped away from that, but my ex had taken out a line of equity of 25,000 during our marriage. Now, the bank is telling us that the home didn't sell in auction to cover the line of equity and we are need to pay this lump sum back immediately!

The other debt we have tied together is a private student loan for 17,000 from Teri.

My questions are: how can I tackle my half of this debt on a meager budget? ( I did move in with my grandpa to cut living costs to go to debt)
Is there anything I can do to fight the equity line of credit if the bank had stated it was taken care, and I didn't owe anything when I talked to them the middle of last year?
Any tips would be helpful! I am just at a loss, and my sweetheart is feeling like we will never be able to get married with this huge amount debt lingering over my head.

Thank you

you need a lawyer, I'm not sure where you are, usually when the foreclosure auction does not cover everything the fallen out position is wiped out and they need to send you a 1099 and ask for a deficiency judgement. In regards of the marriage frankly set up a prenup and be careful what you exchange, there is a fraud claim which refers to you giving income without quid pro quo with the intention to not pay your debts (seldom used, expensive to proof and almost never getting anywhere, but used to threaten). You need legal answers based on our jurisdiction etc, this is not a matter for a board advise, could be you do not owe a dime

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You need to find some way to earn extra money. Shelf-stacking on the weekend, cutting lawns etc. There isn't really any easy way out. My sympathies.

Sounds like you need a consultation with a lawyer (dont go and pay big $ for it I would limit it to $50 or $100) given the circumstances try to ask the bank for settlement especially if you did not benefit from the money (as in she used it for HER school)

As for your current girlfriend, I am sure you will be able to get married, however hard work and sacrafice will be the way there. Start by outlining a plan, and cutting costs should be your goal. One of the quickest ways is to limit the amount of times you eat out, as that seems to eat a big portion of peoples $ (start cooking!)
Don't give in! Hard work and determination will get you back up