Bankruptcy Counseling
Guiding You to Debt Relief
Filing bankruptcy is a big decision and may seem daunting, but that’s why we’re here! Our counselors will give you the education and strategies you need for a successful bankruptcy process.
We will take the time to get to know you and your financial situation. We will also help you explore all options available to you, including ways to avoid filing bankruptcy if possible. As a result, you will be prepared to move forward and take control of your financial future.
What Does Bankruptcy Counseling Include?
We have approval from the Executive Office of the U.S. Trustee to offer pre-bankruptcy counseling and pre-discharge education. We can also issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code 11 U.S.C. 111. Please note that the completion of both the pre-filing counseling and the pre-discharge education is required by law.
Our bankruptcy pre-filing course has four key steps:
Educating you on the bankruptcy process
Reviewing your finances in detail to fully understand your situation
Discussing all your financial options
Developing a personalized plan for your financial success
Before a court finalizes your bankruptcy, you will also need to take our pre-discharge course. The goal of this course is to set you up for long-term financial success. We will provide instructions for budgeting, building good credit, solving problems and more.
We offer these bankruptcy counseling courses online or in person, and each class takes approximately two hours to complete. At the end of each session, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.
How Much Do These Courses Cost?
As a nonprofit credit counseling service, we try to keep the costs of these services to a minimum. Here is a breakdown of the fees:
*Please note that no one is denied services due to inability to pay a fee.
**We offer a reduced rate for the pre-discharge online course if you completed the pre-filing course at CCCS.
Individuals with a gross household income under 150% of the federal poverty guidelines may also be entitled to a reduced fee or fee waiver.
Course |
In-Person |
Online |
Fees* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Filing Course | ✓ | ✓ | $50 (Individual), $75 (Joint Filing) |
Pre-Discharge Course |
✓ | $50 (Individual) $75 (Joint Filing) | |
| Pre-Discharge Course | ✓ | $40 (Individual), $25 for Reduced Rate** $60 (Joint Filing), $45 for Reduced Rate** |
What Are the Benefits of Bankruptcy Counseling?
Bankruptcy is not an easy or quick fix to your financial problems. However, by working with CCCS, you will gain many benefits to make your journey easier. These include:
Comprehensive knowledge of the bankruptcy process
Awareness of alternative options to bankruptcy available to you
A personalized plan for debt relief and rebuilding your finances
Valuable skills for long term financial stability