Consumer
Debt Counselors
Entering into bankruptcy is a huge decision, and it should not be made lightly. Bankruptcy may be your best option if you are struggling to afford your basic living expenses, especially if you are dealing with debt from a medical emergency, loss of a job, loss of a spouse or unexpected repairs. You may want to consider bankruptcy if you are trying to prevent foreclosure of your home, repossession of your automobile, wage garnishment or harassment from debt collectors.
Ultimately, it is your decision whether filing bankruptcy is the best decision for you, but we do recommend that you explore all of your options and get professional advice from a credit counselor and/or a bankruptcy attorney prior to committing to this course of action.
As part of your pre-filing bankruptcy counseling, one of Consumer Debt Counselor’s certified credit counselors will review your financial situation with you and help you identify other options that might be available to you or whether bankruptcy is truly your best option.
Your attorney, on the other hand, will advise you on matters such as which chapter to file, what the bankruptcy process is like and how much filing and court fees will cost you.
It is critical that you understand how bankruptcy will affect your financial future. The negative consequences of bankruptcy can include a negative impact on your credit score and credit history. You may even have difficulty obtaining personal loans or finding employment.
If you'd like to speak to one of our certified credit counselors first to explore other debt management options, please call us now at 1-800-820-9232 or request an appointment online.
Please review these consumer disclosures for our pre-filing bankruptcy counseling services carefully. You are required to accept or decline these terms prior to purchasing access to the Counseling in Motion course.
Consumer Debt Counselors charges $30 for pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and $25 for the post-filing debtor education course. This fee is the same regardless of whether you choose to complete the program alone or jointly with a partner as a couple. There are no further fees associated with receiving a certificate upon completion of either program.
Pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and post-filing debtor education courses must be paid for with a debit card online. Credit cards are not accepted for pre-filing bankruptcy counseling or the post-filing debtor education course.
Consumer Debt Counselors will waive the fees normally received for pre-filing bankruptcy counseling services and for the post-filing debtor education course when the client has an income that is less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines as last published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that are applicable to a family of the size involved in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, or Hawaii. You will be entitled to a 50% reduction in the fee if your income is greater than 150% but less than or equal to 175% of the poverty guidelines for a family of your size.
All clients who complete an instructional course are eligible to receive a certificate of completion at no additional charge. We have an obligation to provide the certificate promptly upon completion of instruction. You will only receive the certificate if you complete the counseling.
Consumers have the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to unsecured consumer debt. Consumer Debt Counselors can assist clients with setting up an alternative payment schedule such as a debt management program. If we are unable to provide a service needed by a client, we will refer him or her to another approved agency.
Consumer Debt Counselors does not notify credit reporting bureaus of your participation in credit counseling. Also, we will not inform your creditors unless you elect to pursue a course of action that requires us to do so, such as a debt management plan (DMP). Participating in a DMP will not have any adverse effect on your credit score, and, by the end of the term, will be a beneficial factor in terms of your credit. Filing for bankruptcy may negatively affect your credit score and access to credit. Our counselors will be happy to discuss the consequences of either of these decisions with you.
The Executive Office for the United States Trustees (EOUST), a division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), has approved Consumer Debt Counselors, Inc. to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. UST has reviewed only the agency's counseling/instructional services and has neither reviewed nor approved other services the agency may provide.
Our team of qualified counselors is trained and certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). Each counselor can be trusted with personal financial information, and all are qualified to help clients step-by-step make important choices about their finances.
Upon request, bilingual counseling services will be provided at no additional cost. Online courses are available in both English and Spanish.
Most of the funding for the debt management program comes from a combination of grants and voluntary contributions. Some of these contributions are from creditors who participate in our debt management programs. Consumer Debt Counselors neither receives nor pays referral fees for the referral of clients, except under a fair share agreement.
Most of our contributions come from clients.
Consumer Debt Counselors, Inc. may disclose some client information to the Executive Office for the United States Trustees (EOUST), a division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with EOUST’s oversight of Consumer Debt Counselors. Disclosure of client information may also be made during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits by the EOUST or during quality of service reviews.
For more detailed information on how Consumer Debt Counselors handles personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.
If you are completing an EOUST-approved bankruptcy education course and have limited proficiency in English, you have the right to free bilingual instruction or assistance from a professional interpreter. Please contact us for assistance.
These disclosures are a reflection of our policies that directly impact our bankruptcy education program. Other agency disclosures are available in our Statement of Counseling Services.
By accepting these terms, you agree that you have read the consumer disclosures and that you understand the information on qualifying for a fee waiver. Upon acceptance, you will be taken to our fee waiver calculator.
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