Official Bankruptcy Help
Filing for bankruptcy can be complicated and emotionally draining. Some people attempt to file for bankruptcy on their own, while others seek official bankruptcy help. Credit counseling organizations, attorneys and local and state government agencies are available to help consumers who are considering filing for bankruptcy.
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Filing Assistance
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Seek official bankruptcy help by hiring a competent attorney to help you file your bankruptcy petition. Attorneys are qualified to give you advice on which chapter of bankruptcy to file for your personal situation. Attorneys can save you time and money, because they are familiar with bankruptcy code procedures. Hire an attorney with experience handling bankruptcy cases. Make sure the attorney offers suggestions and solutions to your financial problems and provides you access to free educational information.
Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling
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With the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, you are required to attend credit counseling before you can file for bankruptcy. The counseling session must be with an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. During the counseling session, you will discuss your bankruptcy alternatives and create a personal budget plan. If you cannot afford to pay for the session, the organization must provide counseling at no cost. Once your counseling session is complete, you are given an official certificate as proof you have completed mandatory counseling. The certificate is filed along with your initial bankruptcy petition.
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Post-Bankruptcy Education
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Before your bankruptcy is discharged, you must attend an official debtor education course to help you develop a budget, manage your money and make better credit decisions after your bankruptcy. The fee for the debtor education course is between $50 and $100. The course must be approved in the district in which you file bankruptcy. Once you are issued a certificate of course completion, you can present the certificate to your attorney or the bankruptcy court so your case can be discharged.
Other Options
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Several nonprofit and local and state organizations are available to assist you with bankruptcy resources. Consumer protection agencies and the Attorney General's offices provide counseling services, education and advice on how to file for bankruptcy, which forms to use, information on fees and lawyer referral services. Most state agencies provide services for free or a nominal charge.
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