Pre-File information - Bankruptcy Counseling

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo, Inc is an approved agency by the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees in the Western, Northern and Eastern Judicial Districts in New York State. As of October 17, 2005 all individuals filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, are be required to participate in a pre-bankruptcy filing counseling session.

CCCS of Buffalo is approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure of an Agency’s services.

The benefits of the pre-filing counseling session:

• For most individuals, whether they should file for bankruptcy is one of the most serious financial decisions they can make.
• That decision should be made only after knowing what the bankruptcy process entails, the consequences of filing for bankruptcy, and the available alternatives to filing for bankruptcy.

Consumers who receive pre-filing counseling with our Agency (an NFCC member) can expect:

• Estimated length: A counseling session of approximately 90 minutes
• Format: Counseling can be face-to-face, group, over the phone, or by internet counseling.
• Content:
  • The session will include an overview of the bankruptcy process
  • A discussion of possible alternatives to bankruptcy, including their advantages and disadvantages
  • A personalized budget analysis
  • The session also will include a discussion of the circumstances that led the consumer into financial difficulty
• Certificate: Consumers will receive a certificate indicating that they completed the counseling session. The Certificate of Credit Counseling is valid for 180 days from the date and time the counseling was completed, not the date the Certificate was issued.
• Cost: There is a $50.00 fee per filer; fees may be waived for those who meet defined income guidelines and provide us with documented proof of income. Payments are to be made by money order only.