MANAGING YOUR DEBT
You routinely spend more than you earn.
You make only the minimum payment required on your credit cards.
Your credit limit is maxed on most of your cards.
You're unsure about how much you owe or what may be on your credit report.
You skip payments on some bills in order to pay others, or use cash advances on one credit card to pay off another.
You use credit cards for day-to-day purchases like groceries, movie tickets or fast food.
You find yourself arguing with your spouse about money. Or, you're are afraid to talk to your spouse about money at all.
You've recently been turned down for credit or a loan.You panic when faced with an unexpected expense, such as a car repair.You owe more on your car than it's worth.Creditors are calling you about overdue bills.You're thinking about filing for bankruptcy.
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA ONLY
OUR FEE WAIVER POLICY AND COSTS
CREDIT COUNSELING (Before Bankruptcy)
The Consumer Financial Education Foundation of America, Inc. ("CFEFA") provides credit counseling free of charge, without regard to the client's ability to pay; however CFEFA charges $35.00 for the issuance of a CERTIFICATE OF COUNSELING for pre-bankruptcy certification.
These fees are waived if the client is referred to us by their attorney who is representing them on a pro bono (no charge) basis or if the client demonstrates a lack of ability to pay the fee, which shall be presumed if the client's household current income is less than 150% of the income of the official poverty line as identified by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services applicable to a household of the same size or if the U. S. Bankruptcy Court waives the filing fee. To request a waiver of the fee please email us at trobinson@cfefa.org and attach either a letter from your attorney stating that you are not being charged a fee for legal services, or your tax return for the previous year, or a notice authorizing you to receive public assistance or your last months' pay records. If you do not have internet service, you may call us at our toll free number 1-866-684-8171 or mail or fax the previously described documents. Upon receipt, we will determine if you and/or your spouse meet the requirements.
The certificates are issued to clients who complete credit counseling and a budget analysis. We do not participate in any debt management plans. We issue a certificate to each spouse whether counseling was provided individually or in a joint session; however the $35.00 fee covers both spouses.
Payment of these fees are by cash, money order, cashier's check, credit card or debit card. If paying by credit card, we accept VISA, Mastercard and Discover.
PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CLASS (After You File Bankruptcy)
THIS WEBSITE IS FOR RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA ONLY
CFEFA offers this course free of charge to our clients without regard to their ability to pay a fee. However, if the client requests a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION to file with the Bankruptcy Court to obtain a discharge, CFEFA charges a fee based upon the method of instruction.
For clients who take the course over the internet by viewing our class video online or by downloading on their own computer, the fee is $15.00. For clients who order a DVD from our office to view the course at home the fee is $20.50 (this includes postage and handling).
The fees include both spouses, however, we issue a separate certificate to each spouse whether they take the class together or separately. Like credit counseling, payment is by cash, money order, cashier's check, credit card or debit card. These fees are waived if the client demonstrates a lack of ability to pay the fee, which shall be presumed if the client's household current income is less than 150% of the income of the official poverty line as identified by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services applicable to a household of the same size or the client is referred to us by their attorney who is representing them pro bono (no charge) or the Bankruptcy Court waives the filing fees. Again, to request a waiver of these fees, please email us at trobinson @cfefa.org and attach your attorney's letter, or your last year's tax return, or notice of government assistance, or last months' pay records.