What must I do before filing bankruptcy?
by NCLC
You must receive a briefing from an approved credit counseling agency within 180 days before your bankruptcy case is filed. The agency will review possible options available to you in credit counseling and assist you in reviewing your budget. Different agencies provide the counseling in-person, by telephone, or over the Internet. If you decide to file bankruptcy, you must have a certificate from the agency showing that you received the counseling before your bankruptcy case was filed.
Most approved agencies charge between $30-$50 for the pre-filing counseling. however, the law requires approved agencies to provide bankruptcy counseling and the necessary certificates without considering an individual’s ability to pay. If you cannot afford the fee, you should ask the agency to provide the counseling free of charge or at a reduced fee.
It is usually a good idea for you to meet with an attorney before you receive the required credit counseling. unlike a credit counselor, who can not give legal advice, an attorney can provide counseling on whether bankruptcy is the best option. If bankruptcy is not the right answer for you, a good attorney will offer a range of other suggestions. The attorney can also provide you with a list of approved credit counseling agencies, or you can check the website for the United States Trustee Program office at www.usdoj.gov/ust.

Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney O’Keefe recommends Hummingbird, online counseling at: www.hbcce.org

Kurt O’Keefe, Esq.

OFFICES IN WAYNE, OAKLAND AND MACOMB COUNTIES

Phone:  313-962-4630

Fax:  313-216-2999

email kurt@stopcreditor.com