Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What will I need to bring to my initial consultation meeting with you?
Answer: The type and extent of documentation required varies from case to case. Generally speaking, the bankruptcy trustee and your creditors have great ability to request comprehensive documentation of your present and past financial situation. Although it is not necessary to bring any documentation to the initial meeting, prior to filing your bankruptcy case, we typically like to have the following documents so that we can provide them to the bankruptcy trustee upon request: (1) Pay stubs or other documentation of income for the past 9 months; (2) All your bank statements for the past 9 months; (3) Your income tax returns for the past 2 years.
Question: How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy?
Answer: The legal charges vary from case to case. For an uncomplicated Chapter 7 filing, we typically charge $1,500 for legal fees. In addition to the legal fees, you are responsible for paying court filing fees and our filing-related costs, which vary depending on the type of filing. For a Chapter 7 case, costs total $345.
Question: Will my bankruptcy harm my husband/wife's credit?
Answer: If you file for bankruptcy, your spouse’s credit will not be affected.
Question: Is it difficult to file for bankruptcy?
Answer: We handle many bankruptcies and have streamlined the process for you. The key to a trouble-free bankruptcy is that you be completely honest with us and with the court. Problems typically arise only in situations where bankruptcy filers have failed to disclose pertinent facts, or have attempted to hide them.
Question: Will I ever be able to get credit after filing for bankruptcy?
Answer: It is likely that your credit will begin improving very quickly after your debts have been discharged. You should also be able to get new credit cards in short order. At our initial consultation, once we obtain your credit report, we will be able to further advise you on this issue.
Question: Will I have to appear in court?
Answer: You will need to appear to give testimony at the creditors' meeting, ofter referred to as the "341 meeting." At that meeting, the trustee and any creditors who appear will have the right to question you under oath. We will work with you to prepare for the meeting and accompany you at the meeting. You might also have to appear before the bankruptcy judge, for instance if you decide to reaffirm debts. Again, we will work with you to prepare for the court appearance, and will accompany you in court.
Question: What will I need to bring with me to the creditors' meeting?
Answer: It is required that you bring photo identification and you social security card. You may not bring your cell phone into the court building.
Question: Will I lose my house and my car if I file for bankruptcy?
Answer: Many types of property are "exempt" from the bankruptcy estate. Most people who file for bankruptcy protection do not have to give any of their property to their creditors.
Question: Will I have to complete a pre-filing credit counseling course?
Answer: Yes. The following is a listing of approved providers for the Southern District of Florida:
Helpful Resources:
A 123 Credit Counselors, Inc www.a123cc.com
Main Address:
701 NW 62nd Avenue
Suite 160
Miami, FL 33126
305-269-9201
Delivery Method:
Internet/Telephone: www.a123cc.com / 305-269-9201
In Person:
A 123 Credit Counselors, Inc
701 NW 62nd Avenue Suite 160
Miami , FL 33126
305-269-9201
English and Spanish
Advantage Credit Counseling Service, Inc. www.advantageccs.org
Main Address:
River Park Commons
2403 Sidney Street Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
888-511-2227
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 888-511-2227
Allen Credit and Debt Counseling Agency www.acdcas.com
Main Address:
195 Brooks Street East
Wessington, SD 57381
888-415-8173
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.acdcas.com
English and Spanish (Interpreter Only)
Telephone: 888-415-8173 English and Spanish (Interpreter Only)
Alliance Credit Counseling, Inc. www.knowdebt.org
Main Address:
13777 Ballantyne Corporate Pl.
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28277
888-594-9596
Delivery Method:
Internet/Telephone: www.knowdebt.org / 888-594-9596
Black Hills Children's Ranch, Inc. www.pioneercredit.com
Main Address:
1644 Concourse Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
605-348-1608
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.pioneercredit.com
English and Spanish
Telephone: 800-888-1596 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.pioneercredit.com / 800-888-1596
English and Spanish
Community Credit Counselors, Inc. www.bankruptcyinfo.org
Main Address:
101 N. Lynnhaven Road
Suite 303
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7523
800-531-5124
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-531-5124
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida and the Florida Gulf Coast, Inc. www.cccsfl.org
Main Address:
3670 Maguire Blvd.
Suite 103
Orlando, FL 32803
407-895-8886
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cccsfl.org
Telephone: 800-741-7040
Internet/Telephone: www.cccsfl.org / 800-741-7040
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta, Inc. www.cccsinc.org
Main Address:
100 Edgewood Avenue
Suite 1800
Atlanta, GA 30303
866-672-2227
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cccsinc.org
English and Spanish
Telephone: 866-672-2227 English and Spanish
In Person:
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast of Florida
1515 N. Federal Highway Suite 200
Boca Raton , FL 33434
866-672-227
English and Spanish
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast of Florida
700 S. Dixie Highway Suite 103
West Palm Beach , FL 33401
800-251-2227
English and Spanish
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast of Florida
900 Central Parkway
Stuart , FL 34994
800-251-2227
English and Spanish
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater San Antonio www.cccssa.org
Main Address:
6851 Citizens Parkway
Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78229
210-979-4300
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cccssa.org
Telephone: 210-979-4300 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.cccssa.org / 210-979-4300
English and Spanish
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco www.cccssf.org
Main Address:
595 Market Street
Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94105
800-777-7526
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-777-7526 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.cccssf.org / 800-777-7526
English and Spanish
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Midwest, Inc. www.cccservices.com
Main Address:
4500 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43213
800-355-2227
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cccservices.com
Telephone: 800-355-2227
In Person:
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida
1175 NE 125th Street Suite 413
North Miami , FL 33161
800-355-2227
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida
12675 South Dixie Highway
Miami , FL 33156
800-355-2227
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida
1800 W. 49th Street Suite 303
Hialeah , FL 33012
800-355-2227
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida
1982 N. State Road 7
Margate , FL 33063
800-355-2227
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of South Florida
4491 South State Road 7 Suite 201
Davie , FL 33314
800-355-2227
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Florida, Inc. www.cccswfl.org
Main Address:
14 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
800-343-3317
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cccswfl.org
Telephone: 800-343-3317
Consumer Credit Management, Inc. www.ccmcanhelp.com
Main Address:
28124 Orchard Lake Road
Suite 102
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
888-821-4357
Delivery Method:
Internet: ccmcanhelp.com
Consumer Debt Counselors www.consumerdebtcounselors.com
Main Address:
222 S. Pennsylvania Avenue
Suite 100
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-599-0057
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-820-9232
Consumer Financial Education Foundation of America, Inc. www.cfefa.org
Main Address:
2 North 20th Street
Suite 1030
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-321-2822
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.cfefa.org
Telephone: 1-866-684-8171
Internet/Telephone: www.cfefa.org / 1-866-684-8171
Credit Advisors Foundation www.yourbankruptcypartner.com
Main Address:
1818 South 72nd Street
Omaha, NE 68124
800-942-9027
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.yourbankruptcypartner.com
Telephone: 800-625-7725 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.yourbankruptcypartner.com / 800-625-7725
Credit Card Management Services, Inc. www.debthelper.com
Main Address:
4611 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite 114
West Palm Beach, FL 33417
800-920-2262
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.debthelper.com
English and Spanish
Telephone: 800-920-2262 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: debthelper.com / 800-920-2262
English and Spanish
In Person:
Credit Card Management Services, Inc.
4611 Okeechobee Blvd Suite 114
West Palm Beach , FL 33417
880-920-2262
English and Spanish
Cricket Debt Counseling www.cricketdebt.com
Main Address:
10121 S.E. Sunnyside Rd.
Suite 300
Clackamas, OR 97015
503-353-0400
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 866-215-5382
Internet/Telephone: www.cricketdebt.com / 866-719-0400
English and Spanish
Debt Education and Certification Foundation www.debt-foundation.org
Main Address:
112 Goliad Street
Suite D
Benbrook, TX 76126
866-859-7323
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.debt-foundation.org
Internet/Telephone: www.debt-foundation.org / 866-859-7323
Family Counseling Center of Brevard, Inc. www.cccsbrevard.org
Main Address:
220 Coral Sands Drive
Rockledge, FL 32955
321-259-1070
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 321-259-1070
In Person:
Family Counseling Center of Brevard, Inc.
2046 14th Ave.
Vero Beach , FL 32960
772-562-6512
Family Financial Education Foundation www.ffef.org
Main Address:
724 Front Street
Suite 340
Evanston, WY 82930
307-789-2010
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 307-789-2010 English and Spanish
Family Foundations of Northeast Florida, Inc. www.familyfoundationsjax.org
Main Address:
1639 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-396-4846
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.familyfoundationsjax.org
Telephone: 888-444-0046
Internet/Telephone: www.familyfoundationsjax.org / 888-444-0046
Garden State Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. www.novadebt.org
Main Address:
225 Willowbrook Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-409-6281
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-992-4557 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.novadebt.org / 800-992-4557
English and Spanish
Granite Lake Educational Resources www.backtogo.org
Main Address:
111 West Cataldo
Suite 200
Spokane, WA 99201
509-325-2511
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 866-366-0599 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.backtogo.org / 866-366-0599
English and Spanish
GreenPath, Inc. www.greenpathbk.com
Main Address:
38505 Country Club Drive, Suite 210
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3429
800-630-6718
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-630-6718 English and Spanish (Interpreter Only)
Internet/Telephone: www.greenpathBK.com / 800-630-6718
Hummingbird Credit Counseling and Education, Inc. www.hbcce.org
Main Address:
3737 Glenwood Avenue
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
800-645-4959
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.hbcce.org
English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.hbcce.org / 800-645-4959
English and Spanish
InCharge Education Foundation, Inc. www.inchargefoundation.org
Main Address:
2101 Park Center Drive
Suite 310
Orlando, FL 32835
866-729-0049
Delivery Method:
Internet/Telephone: www.personalfinanceeducation.com / 1-866-729-0049 English and Spanish
Institute for Financial Literacy, Inc. www.financiallit.org
Main Address:
449 Forest Avenue
Suite 12
Portland, ME 04101
207-879-0389
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 866-662-4932
Internet/Telephone: www.financiallit.org / 866-662-4932
Momentive Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Inc. www.momentive.org
Main Address:
615 N. Alabama Street
Suite 134
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1477
888-711-7227
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.momentive.org
Telephone: 888-711-7227
Money Management International, Inc. www.moneymanagement.org
Main Address:
9009 West Loop South
7th Floor
Houston, TX 77096-1719
888-845-5669
Delivery Method:
Internet: www.moneymanagement.org
English and Spanish
Telephone: 888-845-5669 English and Spanish
Internet/Telephone: www.moneymanagement.org / 888-845-5669
Pacific Rim Institute for Development & Education, Inc. BKEdCert.Com
Main Address:
6230 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1763
Los Angeles, CA 90048
800-845-7171
Delivery Method:
Internet/Telephone: www.PacificRimCounseling.com / 1-800-845-7171 English and Spanish
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, Inc. www.bkhelp.org
Main Address:
4351 Latham Street
Riverside, CA 92501
800-947-3752
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 800-947-3752
Internet/Telephone: www.bkhelp.org / 888-425-3453
English and Spanish
The Housing Corporation of Charlotte County, Inc. www.housingcorpcc.org
Main Address:
1620 Tamiami Trail
Suite 103
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-255-9454
Delivery Method:
The Mesquite Group, Inc. www.themesquitegroup.org
Main Address:
713 Preston Place
Grapevine, TX 76051
817-769-4069
Delivery Method:
Telephone: 877-769-4069
Internet/Telephone: www.themesquitegroup.org / 877-769-4069