Bankruptcy Counseling
As a full service credit counseling agency, we recognize that debt relief is not a complete solution for all clients. In certain instances, bankruptcy counseling may be a more helpful solution for qualified individuals. If you do not qualify for a debt relief program, or cannot afford to make payments to your creditors, you may want to consider bankruptcy as an option. Prior to the filing of any bankruptcy, you are required by law to complete a pre-bankruptcy counseling session. Additionally, you are highly encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified attorney.
Questions about Bankruptcy Counseling?
Pre Bankruptcy Counseling
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 launched a new era.
With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within six months before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged. The Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program approves organizations to provide mandatory credit counseling and debtor education.
A National Debt Management pre-bankruptcy counseling session includes an evaluation of your personal financial situation, a discussion of alternatives to bankruptcy, and a personal budget plan. The counseling session lasts anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes. Once you have completed the counseling session, a certificate is provided generated from the Department of Justice’s website, as proof that the counseling session has been completed.
The counseling session includes information on the following topics:
- How to Eliminate Debt
- How Credit Counseling Works
- What is Bankruptcy?
- What are My Options?
- How to Live Debt Free by Creating a Budget
Post Bankruptcy Education
The educational course includes information on developing a budget, managing money, using credit wisely, maintaining important documents, setting short-term and long-term goals-planning for the future, etc. The course lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. Once the course is completed a certificate is provided, generated from the Department of Justice’s website, as proof that the educational course has been completed.
The educational course includes information on the following topics:
- Budget Development
- Money Management
- Wise Use of Credit
- Consumer Information
- Coping with unexpected financial crisis
Questions about Bankruptcy Counseling?
Licensed States
National Debt Management is approved by the Department of Justice to perform credit counseling and debtor education, in person and by telephone in the following states: Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia.
Disclosure form for Michigan clients can be found here