Pre-filing bankruptcy counseling takes about 90 minutes. Your counselor will ask for information about your income, household expenses and debt, so a full budget analysis can be made. Alternatives to bankruptcy, advantages and disadvantages of bankruptcy, and the bankruptcy process will be explained. We also explain any options that may help your financial situation.

When counseling is completed, a Certificate of Completion is issued which is valid for 180 days from the date the counseling is completed. After that date the certificate expires.

Fees for bankruptcy counseling are $50 per person or $100 per couple. With couples, both individuals must complete the course.

Bankruptcy counseling can be done in three different ways:

In-Person

-- We recommend this method because it is usually the most effective way for you to interact with your counselor and complete the process.

-- You will be given an information sheet to fill in and return before your appointment is set.

-- Bring a photo ID (Drivers license) to your appointment. A certified consumer credit counselor from FISC will work with you at your appointment to create a detailed financial assessment based on the information you provide. This assessment analyzes your income, expenses, debts and assets. This will provide you with a complete picture of your financial situation and available options. Your session will also provide you with information about the bankruptcy process.

-- After you complete this session, you receive your Certificate of Completion.

Telephone  

-- A phone appointment will be set up.

-- You will be sent an information sheet to complete and disclosures to sign.

-- After signing the disclosures, return them to FISC along with the fee.

-- A certified counselor from FISC will call you at the set time and work with you to create a detailed financial assessment based on the information you provide on the information sheet. The assessment analyzes your income, expenses, debts, and assets. This will provide you with a complete picture of your financial situation and available options. Your session will also provide you with information about the bankruptcy process.

-- The counselor will verify your social security number and address at the time of the call.

-- After you complete this session, you will receive your Certificate of Completion.

Online (Click to learn more)      

-- On-line counseling uses the same material that a counselor uses when doing in-person counseling.

-- Before taking the on-line class, you should gather copies of your last month’s pay stubs, mortgage payments, utility bills and your check book. You will be asked to enter information about expenses throughout the course.

-- This assessment will analyze your income, expenses, debts, and assets, to give you a complete picture of your financial situation and available options. Your session will also provide you with information about the bankruptcy process.

-- After you complete this session, a certified consumer credit counselor will check all of your worksheets and contact you to see if you have any questions that need to be addressed. The counselor will verify your social security number and address. If there are no questions to be addressed, your Bankruptcy counseling Certificate of Completion will be mailed to you.