<prompt> Human: Back in 2006, when I started university in North Carolina, my parents agreed verbally, of course that they would pay for my school. This was contingent upon me maintaining passing grades and to stay out of trouble.In 2009 or so, my stepmother had me take out a couple small private student loans so that they could finish paying off my school. These are in my name, but I was given the impression that they would pay for these. In 2010, my parents decided to separate and officially divorced shortly thereafter.I met my wife still married in late 2010 and we had our first child in late 2011. In 2012, my wife and my now former stepmother had a falling out and we dont speak to her anymore.I graduated with my Bachelors in 2011.After their divorce, my stepmother took the house and most of the possessions from my dad, which I dont know how that went down, legally.When my loans started coming due in 2012, it was my understanding that my parents would work together though they are separated to pay off my loans. Around 2014, I began to suspect that they were not paying on my loans. I started receiving calls from collectors and forwarded them on to my stepmother. Since then, I have continued to receive calls but have been financially unable to pay anything. My question is: do I have any legal recourse to have my stepmother and father pay these loans? They didnt sign any paperwork saying they would pay them, but they know full well that they had a verbal agreement with me. Should I seek legal counsel? I dont want to hurt my dad, but they are both hindering my family I now have 3 kids with this debt. I am now able to pay the loans, but I dont feel like its fully my responsibility.  <response>: Theyre your loans. For your education. Its 100 your responsibility. 