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Michigan Credit Counseling Attorney

Personalized Guidance Through Credit Counseling in MI

If you have made the decision to file for bankruptcy in Michigan, it is important to understand that you will be required to complete numerous pre-filing requirements before submitting your petition to the court. In fact, your case could be dismissed or rejected if you fail to complete an approved credit counseling course within the 180 days leading up to your filing—as this became a mandatory requirement for all personal bankruptcies in October of 2005. For this reason, the Michigan bankruptcy attorney at Hensel Law Office, PLLC asks you to take the time to adequately prepare for the process ahead. While this may seem like nothing more than an inconvenience, credit counseling is a crucial part of any Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.

What Does Credit Counseling Mean?

In order to successfully request a discharge of debt from the bankruptcy court, you will need to first undergo a credit counseling course that has been approved by the U.S. Trustee's Office. It typically costs about $50 for a 60 to 90-minute session, but you can request a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay. Once you have selected a credit counseling agency, you can complete the course in person, over the phone or online—wherein you will discuss all possible alternatives to bankruptcy, evaluate your finances and develop a personal budget plan. At the conclusion of the session, you will receive a certificate of completion that will need to be included in your bankruptcy petition. If this certificate is not submitted with the rest of your paperwork, your case could be rejected.

How Do I Know if the Credit Counseling Agency Is Approved?

While you can find a credit counseling agency that has been approved by the U.S. Trustee's Office by signing up through a reputable online service, our firm recommends that you move forward under the advisement of a Michigan bankruptcy lawyer. In doing so, you can ensure that your case is not dismissed or subjected to any unnecessary delays. For this reason, we encourage you to get started today by contacting our office for a free consultation. Our firm welcomes the opportunity to walk you through the bankruptcy process step by step, so do not hesitate to reach out today.

When you call at (888) 258-0651, you will have the opportunity to schedule an appointment at your own convenience—even if it's in the evening or on the weekend.

Client Testimonials

  • Professional, competent, empathetic attorney.

    “My husband and I were forced into a position to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We were devastated and mortified that we had to choose that route, but Tom eased our stress about the filing and court hearing process, as he thoroughly explained what Chapter 7 entails, as well as exactly what to expect during and after the filing process; he was accurate on each point that he advised us on. Tom also kept in frequent contact with us and responded quickly to any questions or concerns that we had while we worked with him. Tom's expertise and tact was invaluable for us, and we will absolutely recommend him to any of our friends and relatives that may find themselves in similar positions to ours. Thank you, Tom, for your dedicated help during this process.”

    EJO

  • Sincerest thanks for all of your help in affording me what I consider a real "fresh start."

    “I wanted to give you my sincerest thanks for all of your help in affording me what I consider a real "fresh start". My divorce was unfortunate but definitely a needed change for the better. However, the financial side of things still seemed to keep that past linked, which makes this an enormous weight lifted. I just can't believe the impact it's made on my outlook with...everything.I will be sure to keep your business cards handy to distribute along with highly favorable words of recommendation should the needs arise.Thank you again for your time and professional guidance.”

    Michelle

  • Tom Hensel is definitely the right attorney to call!

    “I was referred to Tom Hensel by a friend. My first impression was not only was Tom professional but he's so kind and caring too. He helped my husband and I through an embarrassing, scary situation and definitely made it more positive one. He guided us through our options and helped us make the right decision for us which ended up being a chapter 7 bankruptcy. Tom was so knowledgeable and helped us throughout the whole process. He never once made us feel uncomfortable or dumb when we had questions. He was also very easy to get a hold of when questions would come up and would always return our calls and emails promptly. I strongly recommend Tom to anyone going through this kind of financial nightmare. Do yourselves a favor and call him right away. He will help you get on the right path again. Our only mistake was waiting so long to call him!! When we in court waiting our turn all the other attorneys referred to their clients as "The debtors" Tom on the other hand acknowledged us by our names. Little things mean a lot and that left a lasting impression with us. Tom Thank You again for all your help!!”

    Stacy S.

  • I greatly appreciate your time and effort.

    “It was a great pleasure and relief working with you through that tough time. I greatly appreciate your time and effort on our case. I will gladly and confidently recommend you to anyone I know facing a tough financial time requiring your expertise.”

    Jay

  • Thank you very much for getting us through this very hard time in our lives.

    “I just wanted to thank you very much, for getting us through this very hard time in our lives. You did an excellent job. If anyone I know is in need of a lawyer, we will surely give them your name. Again thanks.”

    John and Linda