Everyone who files a bankruptcy must get a credit counseling certificate before the bankruptcy can be filed. There are almost no exceptions.
You do not have to pay your bills in a debt repayment plan through a credit counselor. In fact, the credit counselors say 1 to 3% of people who do the pre-bankruptcy counseling can afford to pay their bills. This requirement was put into the law to deter you from filing bankruptcy.
All you have to do is “attend” a one-time briefing to discuss your finances and get information about your bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options, then you are given a certificate. You can do this in person, over the telephone, by mail or over the Internet. We will assist you in getting this briefing. If you have not already done this step, please wait and discuss with us how best to accomplish this.
Here are approved credit counselors we recommend:
Consumer Financial Education Foundation of America (CFEFA) by Internet and telephone, $35 (paid through our office prior to case filing)
Hummingbird Credit Counseling and Education on the Internet, $49 (paid through our office prior to case filing)
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc., in person in Topeka, Lawrence and Manhattan, $45, (paid to HCCI at time of counseling) 1195 SW Buchanan, Suite 101, Topeka, KS 66604-1183, 785-234-0217.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Inc., in person or telephone, $50 for individual, $75 per couple, Salina, Wichita, Hays, Hutchinson, Garden City, (paid to CCCS at time of counseling)
A FREE internet service for getting your certificate of credit counseling for bankruptcy. Â This service is internet only and goes not guarantee delivery of your certificate. The web site says the process takes up the five days after you enter your information. Â Do not use this service if you need to file your bankruptcy case right away, but if you are not in a hurry, free is free. You will be responsible for getting your certificate over the internet and bringing it to us. Some people have reported to us being charged $5.00.
