Quote from volente_00:
Consolidating your debts with a consumer credit agency will actually lower you fico score more points than filing a chp 7. The consolidation places end up making you 90+ late on the accounts which stays on your credit for 7 years. Even if you settle the 90+ remains on your credit the full 7 years. Also all of your account get closed.
As I said before, this is ceratinly useful information to know, and should be factored into his decision. But also, he needs to figure out waht's important to him.
If his main priority is his FICO score, and being able to get credit again asap, then yes, as you say, declaring cp. 7 is porbably the best way to go (Althoguh it is my experience that people who get so far in debt are generally not very eagr to get more credit again)
But if, as he says, he is worried about his work finding out, or having to disclose the BK to prospective jobs, then he may wish to consider the credit couneselling agency.
Yes, any new employer will likely see it if they check his credit profiule before hiring...but he will not have to disclose it, nor is there any reason or need for him to inform his current employer.