Been a while for me as well and I do know the laws have changed. You should probably avoid debt counseling if you are too far in the hole to get out. All they do is take some of the money you pay and your credit is still ruined. If you really think you can pay off what you owe and don't want to file BR then contact each one and make a deal with them. As far Im concerned tho, why not just file and be done with it?? Your credit will be restored,and it wont take that long, but if using credit is what got you into the mess in the first place, then who needs it again? ******* banks! They overcharge for interest and then get bailed out by the government with YOUR tax money. Really fair isnt it???