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Carole Friend, Attorney
Click to Access Western KY
Bankruptcy Court Website
Click to Access Lexington KY
Bankruptcy Court Website
One key change in the new bankruptcy law is a provision requiring citizens to get professional debt
counseling to avoid similar financial troubles in the future. This requirement is not a big burden, and should
not deter you from filing for bankruptcy.
In 2005, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. Part of the
impetus behind the law was to discourage Chapter 7 filings and encourage more people to file for Chapter
13 reorganization of debts.
Before you can actually file for bankruptcy, you must consult with an approved debt-counseling agency to
discuss debt relief alternatives (e.g., negotiating debts with creditors, obtaining a second mortgage or
consolidating/refinancing debts). This step involves a minor time commitment — it can often be done by
phone or over the Internet. No matter what advice you receive from the credit counselor, you still have the
legal right to file for bankruptcy.
Shortly after you file for bankruptcy you must take a debtor education course. The purpose of this debt
counseling education is to learn how to create and stick to a realistic budget so that you do not repeat the
pattern that led to your current financial straits.
Your bankruptcy will not be discharged until you complete the course. If you retain me as your bankruptcy
lawyer, we can help steer you to an approved credit-counseling agency, including non-profit agencies. The
course can be completed on your own schedule, and often can be done by phone or over the Internet.
Phone: 502 542-2398