Questions and Answers
On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our counseling services.
How much does the counseling cost?
Our debt counselling is free of charge so that all those affected can receive professional advice and help.
Our service is supported and financed by the district of Tübingen and the Verein für Schuldnerberatung Tübingen e.V. (Tübingen Debt Counselling Association).
What happens during a counseling session?
You call during our office hours and reach a counsellor.
On the phone, you tell us about your problem and we ask you a few questions about your current situation.
You will receive information and specific help about your options for the next steps. We will also discuss how you can become debt-free.
We will accompany and support you along the way.
In which languages is counseling offered?
Our counselling sessions are held in German and English.
For counselling sessions in other languages, we ask you to bring someone with you to interpret. This way we can ensure that all important information is conveyed correctly and that you receive the best possible support.
How do I prepare for the first meeting?
It is helpful if you sort out your debt documents and have an overview of your debts. You can also call us if you do not yet have an overview.
It is helpful to have an overview of your income situation.
You can think about questions you would like to ask before the appointment.
What topics can I discuss during counseling?
The money you have is not enough for the whole month.
You want to draw up a budget.
You are unsure whether you can apply for social benefits.
You have debts that you can no longer pay.
The pressure from creditors, debt collection agencies or lawyers is increasing.
You are threatened with eviction or an electricity cut-off.
Letters are no longer being opened.
Your wages or bank account are garnished.
You need a certificate for the garnishment protection account.
The bailiff has announced his/her arrival or you have an appointment.
You are looking for debt settlement options.
You have questions about insolvency proceedings.
How much debt do I need to have before contacting debt and insolvency counseling?
There is no minimum amount of debt that you have to have in order to be advised by us.
What is the difference between debt counseling and insolvency counseling?
You won't notice any difference during your consultation with us. There are different ways to become debt-free. There are so-called out-of-court solutions and judicial insolvency proceedings.
We advise you on both options and recommend certain procedures that we consider suitable for your situation. We will work with you to find both out-of-court solutions and to initiate insolvency proceedings. The decision is always yours.
What do you need to do for successful counselling?
For debt settlement to work and for you to remain debt-free in the long term, it is important to have a good overview of your income, your assets and your debts. This is only possible if we receive all the important information from you.
It is also important that we can reach you easily (by phone or e-mail) and that you bring us the documents we need from you. If you do not speak German or English, we ask you to bring someone with you who can translate for you.
Any topic can be addressed in our counselling sessions. Together we will find a way out of your debts.
How can I reach the counselor?
The first contact is via the telephone number of our secretariat: +49 7071 9304 871
Our telephone consultation hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.00 am - 11.00 am.
If you are accepted for counselling, you will be given the contact details of your counsellor.
Appointments are by appointment only.
Can I terminate counseling?
Debt counselling is a voluntary service. You can terminate the counselling at any time and without giving reasons. If we have taken over the postal correspondence with creditors for you, we will inform them that we are no longer counselling you.
What qualifications do the counselors have?
Our team consists of social workers and a lawyer. All counselors have additional qualifications in the area of debt and insolvency counseling.
Are the counselors bound by confidentiality?
Our team consists of social education workers, social workers and lawyers. All counsellors are additionally qualified in the field of debtor and insolvency counselling.
Are counsellors bound by confidentiality?
Ja. Alle Berater:innen unterliegen der Schweigepflicht gem. § 203 StGB. Die/Der Berater:in spricht nur mit Ihrem Einverständnis mit Ämtern, Institutionen und anderen Personen.
Während des Beratungsprozesses bevollmächtigen Sie uns normalerweise, damit wir für Sie tätig werden können. Im ersten Termin erklären wir Ihnen, was es bedeutet, wenn Sie uns eine Vollmacht geben.
How is your personal data and information handled?
Your personal data and information will be treated securely and confidentially in our debt counselling service. We store them in accordance with legal requirements.
We are subject to the statutory duty of confidentiality and guarantee the utmost discretion to protect your privacy throughout the entire counselling process.
If you have any questions, please contact the data protection officer.