Bankruptcy Counseling and Education
Your debt is overwhelming you and you want a fresh start. But is bankruptcy the right option for you? At Family Foundations, we offer bankruptcy counseling and a comprehensive array of credit counseling services designed to help you make the best choice for your situation.
Pre-Bankruptcy Counseling
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) of 2005 requires any individual who plans to file for bankruptcy to complete a counseling session conducted by a nonprofit credit counseling agency. The counseling session must be completed no more than 180 days prior to filing.
Pre-Discharge Education
BAPCPA also requires a debtor, prior to discharge of debt, to participate in a personal financial management course. The purpose of the educational course is to provide information to help the debtor take charge of his/her finances after bankruptcy.
Family Foundations is approved by the Executive Office of the U.S. Trustee (EOUST) to provide pre-bankruptcy counseling and pre-discharge education to meet the requirements of the BAPCPA and issue certificates required to file or discharge debts. Please note that approval by the EOUST does not constitute an endorsement or assure the quality of the agency’s services.
Pre-Filing Bankruptcy Counseling – Counseling in Motion©
The goals of Counseling in Motion are:
- To help you understand what bankruptcy is and what is involved in the process of filing bankruptcy.
- To help you develop a detailed list of your income, expenses and assets and help you develop a budget based on your new financial goals.
- To help you and your counselor gain a complete understanding of what caused you to consider bankruptcy. This information can help your counselor come up with an Action Plan that can help you overcome your financial difficulties.
Through this program, you will learn about:
- The most common types of bankruptcy.
- The Means Testing process.
- Assets that typically can or cannot be kept after your bankruptcy.
- How bankruptcy affects your credit report and future credit.
- Budgeting, and how it can be a tool to help you stabilize your finances and help you achieve your financial goals.
- How to live well while spending less money.
- Options other than bankruptcy that might be right for you, and options that are not recommended.
Family Foundations offers three ways to complete this process:
- Confidential, online counseling program combined with mandatory telephone session Click Here to Start
- In-person, 90 minute counseling session conducted in our office; or
- 90 minute telephone counseling session.
To schedule an in-person or telephone counseling session, call our office at (904) 396-4846 or email info@familyfoundations.org
Pre-Discharge Bankruptcy Education – Money in Motion©
The goals of Money in Motion are:
- To show you how to make a budget, improve your credit and credit score, and handle your finances responsibly
- To provide you with information you can use to make smart financial decisions
- To provide you with information about credit counseling and other assistance when you have financial problems
Through this program, you will learn about:
- The key to getting ahead financially
- Setting and reaching financial goals
- How to make a budget
- Financial records you should keep
- How to use improve your credit score and use credit wisely
- How to get a copy of your credit report
- The steps to take when you find yourself in financial trouble
Family Foundations offers two ways to complete this process:
- Confidential Online Training. Click Here to Start
- In-person, 2-hour education session conducted at our office.
To attend an in-person session, call our office at (904) 396-4846 or email info@familyfoundations.org