There are a number of steps involved in filing for bankruptcy. As a Sacramento Bankruptcy Attorney, I help my clients through this process.
When a client first meets with me, I always get asked how long it will take to get the bankruptcy case ready to file. In most cases, your case can be ready in two weeks. Next-day emergency filing is also available. Whether you are filing tomorrow or next month, there is one thing that you must do before filing bankruptcy.
You must complete a pre-filing bankruptcy counseling course.
Congress enacted this requirement as a part of the 2005 overhaul of consumer bankruptcy laws. The course is intended to provide helpful information for people considering filing for bankruptcy. Don’t worry: there is no test and there is no way to fail the course. It is for information purposes only.
The pre-filing counseling course is mandatory, even in emergency bankruptcy cases! There is no way to get around having to take the course. After 2005, the pre-filing counseling is now a fact of life for all consumer that file for bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy law requires that the counseling be one hour long. While that may seem like a long time, most of my clients tell me that they appreciate the information that they learned during the course. For the sake of convenience, I provide my clients with the ability to take the counseling online or over the phone. Most people like taking the course online because they can complete the counseling in more than one sitting if required.
In order to make the process easier and more affordable, I provide my clients with complimentary counseling courses! This saves my clients $60 over other bankruptcy law firms. If you need to file bankruptcy, call my office at (916) 333-2222 and I will get you started on your pre-filing bankruptcy course today. Don’t delay!