[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 14]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1956.136]

[Page 269]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER XVIII--RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS--COOPERATIVE 
SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF 
                         AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1956--DEBT SETTLEMENT--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart C--Debt Settlement--Community and Business Programs
 
Sec.  1956.136  Chargeoff.

    (a) Judgment debts. Subject to the provisions of Sec.  1956.112(d) 
of this subpart, judgment debts, regardless of the amount, may be 
charged off without the debtor's signature upon a favorable 
recommendation of the servicing official provided:
    (1) The United States Attorney's file is closed, and
    (2) The requirements of Sec.  1956.130(b)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of 
this subpart have been met, as appropriate, or two years have elapsed 
since any collections were made on the judgment and the debtor(s) has no 
equity in property on which the judgment is a lien or on which it can 
presently be made a lien.
    (b) Nonjudgment debts. Debts which cannot be settled under other 
sections of this subpart may be charged off without the debtor's 
signature upon a favorable recommendation of the servicing official in 
the following instances:
    (1) When the OGC advises in writing that the claim is legally 
without merit, or that evidence necessary to prove the claim in court 
cannout be produced.
    (2) When there is no known security for the debt, the debtor has no 
other assets from which the debt could be collected, and the debtor:
    (i) Is unable to pay any party of the debt and has no reasonable 
prospect of being able to do so, or
    (ii) Is able to pay part or all of the debt but refuses to do so, 
and an opinion is received from OGC to the effect that the Government 
cannot enforce collection of a significant amount from assets or income.
    (3) When the debtor is deceased (individuals only), disappeared 
(individuals only), or when it is impossible or impractical to obtain 
the debtor's signature, and the conditions of Sec.  1956.136(b)(2) of 
this subpart are met.