Debt; counseling

If you need advice because of your financial situation, you can make use of debt counseling.

Debt counseling sees itself as holistic personal help, but it cannot provide financial support to pay off debts. An individual solution is sought together according to the financial and personal circumstances of the person concerned. The aim of debt counseling is to enable individuals to regain an optimistic perspective and active life planning, to strengthen their ability to help themselves by raising awareness of the causes of over-indebtedness. Further assistance includes drawing up an economic and repayment plan, negotiating with creditors, and support with debt restructuring in cooperation with banks.

Debt counseling is offered free of charge. All information provided by those seeking advice is treated in strict confidence.

Debt counseling is a task of the districts and independent cities. They perform this task

• partly through their own municipal debt counseling centers,
• to a large extent through the advice centers of the independent welfare associations (Caritas, Diakonisches Werk, Arbeiterwohlfahrt, Rotes Kreuz, Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband).

You can obtain information about the debt counseling centers in your area from the responsible social welfare administration (social welfare office). You can find a list of debt counselling centers and recognized insolvency counselling centers in Bavaria under "Further links".

• Which documents are required must be clarified with the respective consulting institution. These are for example:
  • Documents proving overindebtedness
  • Evidence of income and expenses
  • Evidence of use of state aid
  • Notices
  • Income tax statement
  • Reminders and current statements of claims
  • Attachment orders
  • Notice of termination of tenancy, eviction
  • Blocking of energy and heat supply
  • Application for assumption of rent debt
  • Application for account garnishment protection
  • Proof of pending criminal proceedings

Any private household in need of help or at risk of social decline can be advised.

The basic prerequisite for effective debt counseling is active and long-term cooperation between the person seeking help and the counselor.

People seeking advice must be prepared to

• to disclose all debts and all possible sources of income,
• follow the debt counselor's recommendations and adhere to agreements and
• change their household management if necessary.

If they are willing to accept these restrictions, debt counseling can be successful.

You must contact a debt advice center with your request. The further course of the procedure depends on the specific situation.

Whether and, if so, which deadlines must be observed depends on the individual situation.

The consultation is free of charge.

It makes sense to contact a debt advice center at the first signs of financial difficulties, for example if

• urgent purchases can only be made in installments,
• the account is frequently overdrawn,
• the first reminders from creditors are received.

Experience has shown that the best results are achieved when help is sought early on. Therefore, the consultation should not be delayed.

Please ask your advice center which forms you need.