In face of lessening stigma, bankruptcy clients find relief

Money Management International offers bankruptcy counseling as a tool to regain financial solvency

HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Money Management International (MMI), the nation's largest nonprofit credit counseling agency and a proud provider of bankruptcy counseling and education, offers a simple, streamlined process to assist consumers who have decided to file for bankruptcy.

"Bankruptcy exists to aid individuals who are attempting to regain solid financial footing," said Jo Kerstetter, national spokesperson for MMI.  "It's a tool designed to help people pick themselves back up.  No one should feel ashamed to exercise that right."

Signs indicate that the perception of bankruptcy appears to be changing:

• In the wake of Detroit becoming the largest American city to file for bankruptcy, Washington Post economics columnist Ezra Klein asserted that the "stigma of bankruptcy has been fading."
• Recent reports by financial website NerdWallet and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center note that rising health care costs are now the primary cause of bankruptcy.
• There's also the sheer number of filings.  Over 13 and a half million individuals and businesses have filed bankruptcy in the last 10 years. 

But even as that stigma fades, the actual act of filing for bankruptcy remains time consuming and emotionally draining for consumers. 

"We recognize that once the decision to file is made, consumers want to be able to complete the process quickly," said Kerstetter.  "BankruptcyCertificate.com was created to provide consumers with an all-in-one location to complete their pre-filing counseling, as well as their post-filing education course, online, over the phone or even in-person in certain markets."

No matter how clients choose to receive their counseling, they can expect an in-depth, personalized experience.  That includes a full, written analysis of the client's financial condition and a customized action plan with a breakdown of the client's real situation and limitations.

MMI provided bankruptcy services to over 50,000 consumers in 2012 and is pleased to be able to provide fee waivers to all active military members, most union members and any clients who meet the applicable criteria for poverty.  Visit www.BankruptcyCertificate.com for more information or call 866.251.1973 to speak with a counselor.

About Money Management International
Money Management International (MMI) is a nonprofit, full-service credit-counseling agency, providing confidential financial guidance, financial education, counseling and debt management assistance to consumers since 1958. MMI helps consumers trim their expenses, develop a spending plan and repay debts. Counseling is available 24/7 by phone and online, and by appointment at branch locations. Services are available in English or Spanish. To learn more, call 866.490.9477 or visit MoneyManagement.org. To speak to a member of our attorney relations team call 877.833.1743

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Contact:
Tanisha Warner
Media Relations
713.394.3202
[email protected]

SOURCE Money Management International