I'm 40, with $42,000 in student loan debt, make $55,000 a year, and am considering bankruptcy. Any advice?

So, here are the facts. I'm 40. I make $55,000 a year. I live alone, and have no dependents. My income immediately gets garnished and I just want it to stop. I also feel like I'll get a nice little bonus added to my paycheck with no garnishment. <br><br>I've had this debt since 2005. <br>I owe $42,000. <br>I make $55,000 a year. <br>I can't ever see myself buying a home ever. And I don't really even get why a person would ever want to do that. <br><br>So, how does bankruptcy work? It just seems like they just immediately make the debt disappear? <br><br>It looks like I'd just owe about $1,800 for attorney fees and stuff. Would anything else just immediately disappear? I imagine I won't qualify for a credit card or anything for years and years. <br><br>I'm not sure if this would affect my credit score or not. But, I don't really have any other debt. I own a minivan that is paid for. So, I don't really need credit for anything. <br><br>Should I just pay it? But, I'm already getting money taken out of my account from my check every month, and I just want it back. Even if it's a little bit. I'm not sure if I ever see myself buying a home, but I'd probably like to.