Recent changes to federal bankruptcy laws now mandate that certain pre-requisites be met in order to file for bankruptcy protection.

The first of these requirements is that the debtor wishing to file must undergo mandatory credit counseling six months prior to filing the petition. The session must be conducted by an approved non-profit counseling agency that oversees budget and credit counseling programs for consumers. Your Westchester bankruptcy lawyer can provide you with a list of approved credit counseling agencies.

During this session, the counselor will discuss the many alternatives to bankruptcy, and will also help design a personalized budget analysis for you. Once you complete the credit counseling session, notify your bankruptcy lawyer in Westchester, who can then start a file for you and commence the six-month countdown to filing.

While you might be ntimidated about having to discuss personal information with a stranger, these approved credit counselors are professionals who aren’t there to judge you, just to help you. Westchester bankruptcy lawyers have found that most agencies offer either private sessions or group sessions, which gives you some options when it comes to both pricing and privacy. And speaking of privacy, some credit counseling agencies even offer sessions via the internet, so you can “attend” the session online in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re thinking of filing bankruptcy, your Westchester bankruptcy lawyer will consult with you about the steps you must take and the timelines you must follow.

Remember, every journey starts with a single step. The road to successfully completing the bankruptcy process begins with credit counseling through an approved agency – the required first step that will start you on the path towards a new financial future and a brighter tomorrow.

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