Online credit counseling

[Hileman]

Who has done this with the new laws? What do you have to do?

[SinkingFast]

We used CCCS of Atlanta.

It's an extensive questionaire. Kinda like doing you income taxes online with TurboTax.

You'll need all your bills, with acct #'s, minimum payments required, total balance due, etc. to complete the Creditor's portion.

You have to fill in gross income, all deductions, down to net pay.

You'll also have to go thru a monthly budget process showing rent/mortgage payments, utilities, etc.

CCCS of Atlanta allows people to pay via Debit Card. Some of the credit counseling services allow online payment via Debit Card, some don't.

Some of the Counseling services are flat fee for single and/or joint filers. Some charge per person so a couple would have to pay more.

Once you submit your info, you get an email allowing you access to your Credit Counseling packet. There will be all kinds of info in the packet and you pre-BK Certs will be included as well.

CCCS of Atlanta's packet was in .pdf format. They also have neat service which will allow you to email your packet to anyone you want to. Yourself, your attny, whoever you want.

[annikasaunt]

I found one where I could enter everything online and then call them. They just review everything you've entered with you and read some stupid statements that they have to. They collect their fee and then they send you the certificate. The entire thing is pretty pointless, however necessary to file now. It cost me $50. I used Money Management Inc or something like that.

[Hileman]

Do they let you print your certificate? Or do you have to wait for it to be mailed to you?

[annikasaunt]

They faxed one to my atty for me and mailed one to me. Some others will let you print it directly. Depends on who you use.

[SinkingFast]

Ours was emailed as a .pdf file that we could print out. We had one emailed to the attny as well.

[debtisbad]

I thought this was a complete waste of money. I used CCCS of Atlanta and they faxed over the certificate to my atty.

[so-beyond-broke]

Used them too

Hi

I just used them over the weekend. I thought that when I filled out the application online that was the counseling online, however when I called MMI because a counselor had called me and didn't return my calls - another counselor helped me out and said that the info I entered was for a DMP but since it took me about an hour to enter all of the income and debt info it helped when I called and spoke with a certified BK counselor. The live consultation lasted exactly 27 mins and 29 secs. I was looking at the timer on my phone. The only good thing was she was able to pull all the info of that application and it saved time. However it did not save me any $$. It was $50 that I could have spent elsewhere. It was so obvious that I needed to file, but I understand that they have a job to do. I did it last Friday night, now I am waiting for them to mail my certificate.

sbb

I found one where I could enter everything online and then call them. They just review everything you've entered with you and read some stupid statements that they have to. They collect their fee and then they send you the certificate. The entire thing is pretty pointless, however necessary to file now. It cost me $50. I used Money Management Inc or something like that.