How to Get a Bankruptcy Counseling Certificate
Obtaining a bankruptcy counseling certificate is a prerequisite to filing for personal bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. This requirement is to help ensure that consumers are educated about the bankruptcy process.
To obtain the certificate, you’ll need to find a qualified bankruptcy counseling agency. It’s in your best interest to spend some time finding a reputable agency, as this counseling can be very beneficial to you.
Finding a Bankruptcy Counseling Agency
Finding a bankruptcy counseling agency is fairly straightforward. The Executive Office for U.S. Trustees maintains a list of approved agencies on their Web site.
Money Management International offers an approved program in which a certified credit counselor will work one-on-one with you to develop a detailed personal financial assessment.
What Happens During an Approved Program
You should expect the following to occur during your session:
- An in-depth review of your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
- Discussion of the right solution for your financial situation
- Development of a reasonable and manageable spending plan, a detailed action plan, and short and long term financial goals
Counseling services are available in Spanish; many other languages available upon request.
Upon completion of the counseling session, you will be promptly issued a certificate of participation that allows you to proceed with the bankruptcy filing process. Timely certificate delivery is offered by email, fax, or mail.
