debtor education course how many do i have to take

A person who files for bankruptcy must take two educational courses before receiving a bankruptcy discharge wiping out qualifying debt.

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How long does the debtor education course take to complete?

When you file for bankruptcy, you'll complete two courses—a credit counseling course and a debtor education course. If you're unsure which to take or how to find approved providers, these basics will help: You'll take the credit counseling course before bankruptcy. You'll take the debtor education course after filing your case. You'll find approved course providers on the US Trustee …

What is the debtor education requirement for bankruptcy?

How long does the course take? The course is required to take a MINIMUM of 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete. The course is timed, and you cannot finish early. Take your time and spend the full two hours on the course material. All debtor education providers have the same time requirement. You must take the course from an approved provider

Where can I get a debtor education certificate?

May 22, 2020 · The debtor education course takes about two hours to complete. If you take the course online, some providers will allow you to save your progress and come back to it at a more convenient time. How Much Does it Cost to Complete the Debtor Education Course? The Debtor Education Course usually costs between $15 - $50 depending on the provider you ...

Can I get credit counseling and debtor education at the same time?

After you file a bankruptcy case, you may get a letter from a company that makes it seem as if you have to use their company to take the Financial Education Course that is required by bankruptcy law. You do have to take a second course, now that you have filed, but you don’t have to take it from any particular company.

What Is The Debtor Education Course Requirement?

To receive a discharge in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are required to take a debtor education course after you file your case. The goal...

Who Must Take The Debtor Education Course?

With a few exceptions, all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy debtors must complete a course in debtor education before they can receive a dischar...

Approved Debtor Education Course Providers

You must take the debtor education course from a provider approved by the U.S. Trustee (or the Bankruptcy Administrator if you live in Alabama and...

When Do You Have to Complete The Debtor Education Course?

If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must take the debtor education course and file your certificate of completion (discussed below) with the...

How Much Does The Debtor Education Course Cost?

The cost of the debtor education course will depend on the provider you select. But the new rules published by the Executive Office for U.S. Truste...

What Happens During The Debtor Education Course?

You can usually take the debtor education course in person, over the phone, or on the Internet. Regardless of the method of instruction, the course...

Filing Your Certificate of Completion

When you complete the debtor education course, you must file a form called Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Postpetition Instructional Cours...

How long does it take to complete a debtor education course?

The course is required to take a MINIMUM of 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete. The course is timed, and you cannot finish early. Take your time and spend the full two hours on the course material. All debtor education providers have the same time requirement.

What is the second course in bankruptcy?

The second course is required as part of your bankruptcy. The purpose of debtor education is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to take control of your financial future. The course is taken after your bankruptcy has been filed but before you receive your discharge.

How to get a case number if my attorney has not filed?

There are 3 main ways to get this information: Call VCIS (Voice Case Information System) at: (866) 222-8029 (automated line) Ask your attorney. Ask the bankruptcy court.

What is the second course in credit counseling?

The second course is a financial management session, which is more educational.

Can you get a bankruptcy certificate if you are referred to a different provider?

Yes, even if you were referred to a different provider, the certificate you receive after completing the BE Adviser debtor education course is accepted everywhere, by all attorneys and by all bankruptcy courts.

How much does debtor education cost?

The Debtor Education Course usually costs between $15 - $50 depending on the provider you choose to complete it with. The Executive Office for the U.S. Trustees (EOUST) has set a figure limiting the fee to the course to be under $50.

What is the first course to take before filing for bankruptcy?

The first course is called the pre-filing credit counseling course which must be taken through a provider that is approved to offer the course in the district you file.

What happens after you complete the bankruptcy course?

What Happens After I Complete the Course? When to complete the Debtor Education Course after filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Everyone seeking Chapter 13 bankruptcy relief has to complete a mandatory credit counseling class before their case can be filed with the bankruptcy court. This has to be done in the 6 months before the case is filed.

How long does it take to complete bankruptcy counseling?

The bankruptcy credit counseling course must be completed 180 days before you file your bankruptcy petition . The second course is called the debtor education course or the financial management course.

What is the second course called?

The second course is called the debtor education course or the financial management course. The post-filing debtor education course was added by BAPCA to educate individuals about their finances and give them all the tools they need so they don’t end up having to file bankruptcy again.

How long does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy last?

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy can last anywhere between 3-5 years and although you don’t need to complete it until sometime before your last plan payment, it's best to do it sooner rather than later so you don’t forget.

How to get a certificate of completion for a course?

After the course is completed, you will get a certificate of completion. The certificate of completion can be faxed, emailed, or mailed to you. Once you receive the certificate, you will need to file it with the court. You can either do this electronically or go to the Clerk’s office to give it to them personally/mail it to the court.

What states have bankruptcy administration?

The United States Bankruptcy Administrator Program, a bankruptcy estate administration program established by the federal judiciary, presently serves only the six federal judicial districts in the States of Alabama and North Carolina.

Who approves credit counseling in Alabama?

In Alabama and North Carolina, the bankruptcy administrator approves credit counseling and debtor education providers. Lists of approved providers for the six judicial districts in Alabama and North Carolina are maintained by the bankruptcy administrator for that district or bankruptcy court.

Do you have to take credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy?

Credit counseling must take place before you file for bankruptcy; debtor education must take place after you file. Certificate of completion for both credit counseling and debtor education are required but before the filer’s debts can be discharged. Only credit counseling organizations and debtor education course providers ...

Does the Trustee Program work in Alabama?

By law, the U.S. Trustee Program does not operate in Alabama and North Carolina; in these states, Bankruptcy Administrators approve pre-bankruptcy credit counseling organizations and pre-discharge debtor education course providers. The following is a list of Bankruptcy Administrator approved providers in Alabama and North Carolina.

What is debtor education?

Debtor education focusing on budgeting and managing money after bankruptcy. The idea is to set financial goals and learn how to cut your expenses. The debtor education course is taken after you file for bankruptcy but before your case is discharged.

How many hours of credit counseling do you need to have a bankruptcy discharge?

Teachers give a minimum of two hours of instruction on how to manage money, repair credit and plan successful financial strategies after bankruptcy.

What does it mean when a court orders that a consumer is no longer legally required to pay his debts?

That is when the court orders that the consumer is no longer legally required to pay his debts. The court must grant the discharge and it is permanent, meaning creditors can’t take any action against the debtor to collect.

How long does it take to get credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy?

Pre-file bankruptcy credit counseling must take place 180 days before you file for bankruptcy. Pre-discharge debtor education must be completed within 60 days after your first meeting with creditors for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must complete the course before making your final payment.

How does bankruptcy prevent creditors from collecting debt?

It prevents creditors or collection agencies from collecting debts through legal action or communication, such as phone calls, letters or personal contact. Though the goal is clear, the path to a discharge is often complex and it behooves petitioners to understand the bankruptcy process and its potential pitfalls.

What happens when you discharge debt in bankruptcy?

Though bankruptcy discharges clear away debt, their terms are strict and require that petitioners follow court orders.

What is the goal of bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy petitioners all have one goal: getting out of debt as quickly as possible. That objective is reached through discharge, a court order that releases a debtor from obligations to repay specific unsecured debts. It prevents creditors or collection agencies from collecting debts through legal action or communication, such as phone calls, ...

What is the pre discharge debtor education course?

The debtor education course is also known as the personal financial management course or the post-​​filing debtor education course, and completion of this course is required ...

How long do you have to take bankruptcy classes?

How long do I have to take it after filing for bankruptcy? A: In a chap­ter 7 case, you must take the debtor edu­ca­tion post-​​bankruptcy class (1) after you file your peti­tion for bank­ruptcy and (2) within 45 days after your first meet­ing date with your cred­i­tors and bank­ruptcy trustee.

What is the bankruptcy abuse prevention and consumer protection act?

A: The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 includes two provisions mandating financial counseling and education: Before filing for bankruptcy, consumers are required to have a briefing on the alternatives to bankruptcy; and before receiving a bankruptcy discharge a debtor is required to complete an instructional course concerning personal financial management. These provisions were included to provide debtors in bankruptcy with the skills and tools needed to potentially avoid future financial problems.

What is pre filing bankruptcy?

The pre-​​filing bankruptcy credit counseling course is also known as a pre-​​petition counseling session or a budget briefing. You will be required to provide a certificate of completion showing you have completed the bankruptcy credit counseling course prior ...

Does Access and BKClass protect your personal information?

A: Yes, Access and BKClass Inc. are committed to maintaining your privacy and online confidentiality, including the use of special encryption to protect your personal information. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information. Back to top.

Is Access Counseling approved by the EOUST?

A: Yes. Both Access and BKClass Inc. have been approved by the Executive Office for the United States Trustees (EOUST). Back to top. Q: In what states are Access Counseling Inc. (Access) and BKClass Inc. authorized by the Executive Office for the United States Trustees ( EOUST ) to issue certificates that satisfy the court requirements ...

Filers in Alabama and North Carolina

• By law, the U.S. Trustee Program does not operate in Alabama and North Carolina; in these states, Bankruptcy Administratorsapprove pre-bankruptcy credit counseling organizations and pre-discharge debtor education course providers. The following is a list of Bankruptcy Administrator approved providers in Alabama and North Carolina.

See more on uscourts.gov

Filers in All Other States and Territories

Approval Process For Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Courses