Dedicated to your quality of life.

Filing for bankruptcy is not a decision that anyone makes lightly. If you feel that bankruptcy is your only option, we can help you examine your situation and alternatives, teach you about the process, and help you create a plan for moving forward.

Is declaring bankruptcy the right decision for you?

Learn more and discuss all of your options with a certified CCCS counselor.

Bankruptcy Counseling

Bankruptcy counseling with a credit counselor must be completed before filing for bankruptcy. During our meeting with you, we will take the time to assess your finances and provide an honest, easy-to-understand summary of your financial situation. 

From there, your counselor will look at your options and help you weigh the alternatives to and consequences of filing for bankruptcy. Whether or not you decide bankruptcy is the right option for you, we will work with you to create a plan for rebuilding your credit and financial future.

If you decide to proceed with the bankruptcy process, we will provide a list of attorney referrals and, once you complete your bankruptcy counseling session, you will be issued a certificate of participation, which allows you to move forward with filing for bankruptcy.

 

We are approved by the United States Trustees to provide the required pre-filing counseling and issue certificates in all judicial districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota. We are approved to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an Agency’s services. Our means of delivery are by phone and in-person. We do NOT offer online counseling at this time.

We care deeply for transparency and educated decisions. PLEASE READ below.

Fees and Issuance of Certificates: The following fees include any fees associated with the generation of the certificate.

Bankruptcy Counseling (pre-filing): $50 single/$65 joint (Call us to be registered at 800-350-2227 - Cashier’s check, money order, debit card or cash accepted).

All fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of any certificates. The agency has an obligation to provide a certificate to the client promptly upon the completion of counseling services. A bankruptcy counseling client will receive a certificate only if the client completes the credit counseling services

Fee Waiver – CCCS provides counseling and education programs regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. You may be eligible to a fee waiver when you meet either or both of the two criteria below:

  1. As per 28 C.F.R. § 58.21 (b)(1)(i) A client presumptively lacks the ability to pay the fee if the client's household current income is less than 150 percent of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2), as adjusted from time to time, for a household or family of the size involved in the fee determination. The income of a spouse is included in calculating income whether or not a joint petition is filed, unless the spouses are separated, and a joint petition is not filed.
  2. When your attorney is filing pro-bono on your behalf.

Please notice: to verify whether your current household’s income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines, please visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines  for updated information.

If you deem to be eligible to a fee waiver, please call us at the following toll-free number: 800-350-2227. During your call you will be asked to provide us with a copy (via email or fax) of an award letter, a pay stub or any other proof of income. Alternatively, you can provide a proof of your attorney filing pro-bono (or already filed) on your behalf. Upon review of your documentation we will register you, and will call you back with your ID and password to access your class online. 

Bilingual Services: CCCS will provide free bilingual instruction or professional interpreter assistance to any limited English proficient client.

Counselors: all of our counselors are certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Funding Sources: CCCS is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation that receives funding from a variety of sources including but not limited to: local United Ways, donations and contributions from individuals, businesses and other organizations including service clubs and churches, local grants and contracts, creditor contributions, credit grants, and fees for services provided to individuals and groups. The agency does not pay or receive any fees or other consideration for the referral of clients to or by Family Service Association of Sheboygan.

Impact on Credit Report and Credit Score: Your credit report or credit score will not be affected by budget, credit, or bankruptcy counseling or any educational program taken through CCCS. CCCS does not report to any credit reporting agency or credit bureau. However, your credit report and credit score could be negatively impacted if you file bankruptcy or select some other alternative to bankruptcy such as nonpayment of obligations or debt settlement. A bankruptcy will remain on your credit report and affect your credit score for 7-10 years based on the type of bankruptcy you file. In addition, you may also have a hard time getting approved for certain types of loans after filing for bankruptcy. If you enter into a Debt Management Plan (DMP), this could have an impact on your credit report, credit score, or have other adverse factors. Credit scores may be lowered during the first 8-10 months of enrolling in a DMP as some accounts are closed and your ability to secure a mortgage or car loan may be hindered.

Alternative Payment Schedule: Alternative Payment Schedule: CCCS provides the opportunity to negotiate an alternative payment schedule with regard to each unsecured consumer debt pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 502(k).

Client Information: Your information may be used for confidential research and/or a neutral third party may contact you to request an evaluation of the agency’s services. Also, CCCS might disclose client information to the United States Trustee in connection with the United States Trustee’s oversight of CCCS, or during the investigation of complaints, during on-site visits, or during quality of service reviews.

The United States Trustee has reviewed only the CCCS’ credit counseling services (and its services as a provider of a personal financial management instructional course). The United States Trustee has neither reviewed nor approved any other services the agency provides to clients.

Learn about our bankruptcy education courses.

Personal Finance

 

Credit

Housing

Personal Finance

 

Credit

Housing