Financial Education and Credit Counseling

This component of the PBN Legal Plan provides consumers with personalized services. We provide access to financial education and credit counseling through a variety of delivery methods including telephone, online tools and live chat sessions.

Whether you are renting or buying a home, having problems with debt, or setting up a trust, there are legal and financial ramifications associated with each. This financial education program is designed to provide individuals and their families with the tools they need to make better financial decisions. Personal financial guidance and education is provided by certified credit counselors.

Plan Benefits and Features

The following is an outline of the free services included with this program:

Free Consultations

• Financial Assessment – A complete financial assessment includes review and analysis of member’s household income, expenses, assets and liabilities.

Complete Credit and Debt Analysis

• A credit counselor takes the time to thoroughly understand and assess current credit and debt issues.

Credit & Debt Counseling by Certified Credit Counselors

• Assist in creating a livable budget to balance income and expenses. Provide specific advice on how to deal with creditors.
• Offer money management and budgeting techniques to help gain control of finances.
• Develop a comprehensive spending plan.
• Create an action plan to become debt free.

Online Counseling Sessions

• A unique opportunity to receive a personalized response to questions on subjects such as loans, budgeting, credit reporting, collections, dealing with debt, and much more.

Housing Advisory Services

• Advice covering first time home ownership, affordable mortgages and refinancing.
• Post purchase counseling.
• Reverse mortgages – what are they and how do they work?

Online Tools and Articles

• Access online articles designed to inform, assist, educate and alert consumers in all areas of credit, money management and how to get help.
• Online tools for budgeting.
• Articles designed to help make smart financial decisions.
• Articles designed to help with family financial and purchasing decisions.
• Hotlinks to a wide variety of consumer resources on topics such as lending, credit reports, credit cards and vehicle purchasing and financing.
• Easy-to-use online calculators to help get finances back on track. Calculators are available to help with budgeting, vehicle and home financing.
• Tests and quizzes to gain a better understanding of how to improved money management skills.

Resources Guide

• Webinars
• Videos
• Calculators
• How-to Guides
• Debt Stories
• FinLit
• eBooks
• Infographics
• Courses
• Browse by Topic

Financial Services Requiring a Small Fee

In the event a member has made the decision to file for bankruptcy, our counselors are trained to take them through mandated education courses, at a minimal fee, so that they can obtain their required certificate of completion prior to the courts granting the bankruptcy.

Pre-Filing Bankruptcy Counseling Sessions

• Cover budgeting, wise money management and the advantages and consequences of filing bankruptcy.
• Familiarize clients with the bankruptcy process and discuss financial options.
• Issue certificate of completion allowing client to proceed with the bankruptcy filing process.