Bankruptcy Counseling
Bankruptcy Requirements
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 requires consumers to attend a credit counseling session to discuss their financial situation and learn about alternatives to bankruptcy before filing. This is known as Pre-filing Counseling.
This law also requires that a financial management course be completed before their debts will be discharged by the court to help avoid future debt issues. This is called Post-filing Education.
Issues to Consider:
- Filing bankruptcy is a serious step that could affect your credit history and increase the cost of getting loans and credit cards.
- Bankruptcy is a matter of public record – relatives, friends, and neighbors could find out.
- Bankruptcy laws have changed and filing bankruptcy has become more complicated.
CCCS offers Pre-filing Counseling and Post-filing Education for clients filing in:
| Alaska | Kansas | North Dakota |
| Arizona | Kentucky | Ohio |
| Arkansas | Louisiana | Oklahoma |
| California | Maine | Oregon |
| Connecticut | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| District of Columbia | Minnesota | South Dakota |
| Florida | Mississippi | Tennessee |
| Georgia | Missouri | Texas |
| Hawaii | Montana | Vermont |
| Idaho | Nebraska | Virginia |
| Illinois | Nevada | Washington |
| Indiana | New Hampshire | West Virginia |
| Iowa | New Jersey | Wisconsin |
| New Mexico | Wyoming | |
| New York |
If you live outside these areas, please visit The U.S. Trustee Program or contact your attorney for an approved credit counselor near you.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) has been approved by the Executive Office of the United States Trustees to provide bankruptcy education and to issue certificates of attendance in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency's services.
