A common question is whether or not a debtor can keep a credit card after filing for bankruptcy protection and do I have to list the cards I want to keep. If you owe a balance at the time the bankruptcy petition is filed, you must list the debt. This applies regardless of the amount of the debt. If you are worried that you cannot live without a credit card there are a few options. A credit card with a zero balance does not need to be listed and can be used after you file the bankruptcy petition. If you have a card with a low balance, you should pay it off before filing for bankruptcy. However, be careful not to use balance transfers to pay off the card as the transaction could be undone by the trustee or challenged by the creditor if it is determined that the transfer was fraudulent. It is not worth risking a discharge to save a credit card...

The Department of Justice's FAQs about Credit Counseling have been separated into six major areas. Consumers, applicants, and approved agencies may find it helpful to review the questions in each area.

You see the advertisements in newspapers, on TV, and on the Internet. You hear them on the radio. You get fliers in the mail, and maybe even calls offering credit repair services. They all make the same claims but how can you repair your credit without hiring an agency?

The Federal Trade Commission created a webpage addressing various ways you can improve your credit yourself, please click the link below.

English: Repairing Your Credit Yourself - English.

Spanish/Espanol: Repairing Your Credit Yourself - Spanish

The Federal Trade Commission has created guidance for consumers on whether debt relief or bankruptcy may be right for them. 

Debt got you down? You’re not alone. Consumer debt is at an all-time high. Whether your debt dilemma is the result of an illness, unemployment, or simply overspending, it can seem overwhelming. In your effort to get solvent, be on the alert for advertisements that offer seemingly quick fixes. While the ads pitch the promise of debt relief, they rarely say relief may be spelled b-a-n-k-r-u-p-t-c-y. And although bankruptcy is one option to deal with financial problems, it’s generally considered the option of last resort. The reason: its long-term negative impact on your creditworthiness. Bankruptcy information (both the date of your filing and the later date of discharge) stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can hinder your ability to get credit, a job, insurance, or even a place to live.

For more information, please visit their website at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0084-debt-relief-or-bankruptcy

he FAQs have been separated into five major areas. Some issues may be cross-cutting. Debtors, applicants, and approved providers may find it helpful to review the questions in each area...