Here are some commonly asked questions (and answers!) about our pre-bankruptcy credit counseling: How long does the counseling take? The counseling takes about 60 minutes, but remember that you can work at your own pace and start and stop as needed.
The Pre-Filing Credit Counseling Phone Course is a phone based session. This phone session will take at minimum 60 minutes in duration. Counseling in Motion will require verification of the person who is taking this course prior to course commencement and before completion of …
· About Pre-File Credit Counseling. Bankruptcy is a legal way to start all over again financially, but you can’t file for a do-over until you have enrolled in a pre-file bankruptcy credit counseling course. The pre-filing course only takes about an hour and it makes you aware of all the other possibilities for dealing with your debt.
A debtor must have received credit counseling from an approved provider during the 180-day period ending on the date of filing of the debtor's petition. If the counseling certificate filed with the case indicates on its face that counseling was received more than 180 days prior to the filing, the case will likely be dismissed.
1. Provide your financial information. In the session, you will provide various pieces of information about your financial situation, including details about why you are filing for bankruptcy. Here are the specifics you will need to provide:
Clearpoint’s online pre-bankruptcy credit counseling (also referred to as “pre-filing” or “pre-petition” counseling) allows you to earn the certificate that is required by US Bankruptcy Code before you can file for bankruptcy.
What’s BAPCA and How Does it Affect My Bankruptcy. BAPCA is important bankruptcy reform law that took effect in 2005 and still has major implications for bankruptcy today. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with BAPCA. Bankruptcy Counseling FAQ.
Important note: Chatting with a counselor is a mandatory part of the counseling.
Yes, this counseling requires a credit inquiry. This is a “soft” pull of your credit, however, and will not affect your credit score or show on any third party credit report requests. The information from your credit report will allow your counselor to provide the best advice possible, and will help us ensure that the information you provide matches what the credit bureaus have on record.
There is no charge for generation of the certificate. As an approved agency, this certificate is valid for 180 days after the date and time the counseling is completed. A Debt Coach Credit Counseling certified consumer credit counselor will be conducting this session.
The bankruptcy counseling certificate is valid for up to 180 days from the completion of the counseling session.
BV is an independent third-party organization that reviews and monitors entities who provide social services. A Debt Coach is a non-profit agency. We are organized and operate in accordance with Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A Debt Coach receives funding in the form of grants from banks and other financial institutions ...
Depending on the type of bankruptcy you file, a bankruptcy may remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years. If, after your session, you choose to enroll in a Debt Management program (DMP), participation in a debt management program may change information which is already on your credit report.
You will only receive your certificate upon completion of counseling. The Executive Office for the United States Trustee (EOUST) can potentially review client information as needed. The EOUST has only reviewed and approved Pre-filing credit counseling and Post-filing debtor education services.
Pre-file credit counseling is an opportunity to receive advice from an approved counselor on whether there is some other way for you to get back on your feet financially, or is bankruptcy really the only choice.
The 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act made it a requirement that anyone filing for bankruptcy must take a credit counseling session at least 180 days before filing. Pre-file credit counseling is an opportunity to receive advice from an approved counselor on whether there is some other way for you to get back on your feet ...
The first step any consumer should take when considering bankruptcy is to determine whether they qualify for it. Some financial problems are better handled through debt management programs , debt settlement or even a consolidation loan.
Important Factors to Consider Before Filing Bankruptcy. The pre-filing bankruptcy process includes decision making on an attorney, the type of bankruptcy you intend to file, the timing for filing and gathering proof of your debts. Here are things to think about before making a decision.
The counseling must come from a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency like InCharge Debt Solutions that is approved by the U.S. Trustee program. The agency issues you a Certificate of Credit Counseling as proof that you took the course and you must present the certificate when filing for bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases take 4-6 months to settle and Chapter 13 filings can last a year or more. The secret to success with either is almost always predicated on the time spent planning ahead of the actual filing.
The agency issues you a Certificate of Credit Counseling as proof that you took the course and you must present the certificate when filing for bankruptcy. Everyone filing for bankruptcy must take the credit course, regardless of what chapter of bankruptcy you file for. If you don’t have a certificate, your case may be dismissed.
You'll prove that you've taken the credit counseling course by filing the certificate of completion along with your bankruptcy paperwork (no later than 15 days after your bankruptcy filing date). You'll also receive a copy of any repayment plan you may have worked out with the agency.
show that you received credit counseling from an agency approved by the U.S Trustee's office within the 180-day period before you file your bankruptcy, and
The Second Course: Post-Bankruptcy Debtor Education. Bankruptcy filers must take a second course—called debtor education —after filing for bankruptcy. The debtor education course provides the filer with financial management tools, such as tips for creating a budget and rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.
You can find an approved provider by visiting the U.S. Trustee's website. Click on the link entitled "Credit Counseling & Debtor Education" and then "List of Approved Credit Counseling Agencies." After the list populates, scroll down until you find your court's jurisdiction. You'll want to choose a provider that falls in that section to ensure that you get credit for the course.
Even if a repayment plan is feasible, you aren't required to agree to it. However, if the agency does come up with a plan, you must file it along with your other bankruptcy documents.
The counseling agency usually prepares a budget based on your income and expenses, and then review your options for repaying the debt. In most cases, the agency confirms that you don't have any feasible options for dealing with the debt other than filing for bankruptcy.
The debtor education course provides the filer with financial management tools, such as tips for creating a budget and rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.
The cost of pre-filing counseling ranges from about $35 to $50 and typically takes less than two hours to finish online, in person or by telephone. It is divided into three areas of discussion.
Credit counseling course outlines options beyond filing bankruptcy for debtors. Within the six-month period prior to filing a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, people are required to complete a credit counseling course that analyzes the factors that contributed to their financial difficulties. As part of the 2005 reform of the federal ...
A section that provides information about paying back creditors over several years or working with a credit counseling agency rather than filing bankruptcy explains the advantages and disadvantages of each option, as well as resources for more information.
A.) The certificate will be issued within one business day after the online portion AND the mandatory online secured messaging with credit counselor has been completed. Please note that during the online registration of the class you will be asked for your email address and your attorney's email address (if applicable). Once you have completed the entire instruction, the Certificate of Completion will be emailed to your primary email address on file, and a notification will also be emailed to the attorney's email. If the attorney desires direct access to your certificate, please contact us and request us to email it to your attorney. Attorneys can register on our site under the attorney tab on our site and get direct access to his/hers clients' certificates.
A.) Both online classes (the pre-filing class and the pre-discharge class) were written by Susan Wright. She is a talented writer and has a great knowledge in the financial sector. She holds the following certifications and designations:
A.) $0$ Bk Class, Inc. is approved to provide Pre-Filing Credit Counseling and Pre-Discharge Debtor Education in all districts of the US.
A.) Yes, your Certificate of Completion will have all the required information that you will need for a Pre-Filing Course Certificate of Completion. The Online Credit Counseling Class offered at MyOnlineBankruptcyClass.com has been approved by the US Trustee to issue certificates evidencing completion of a credit counseling course in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a provider's services.
A. The Pre-filing Consumer Credit Counseling Course is $25 for single or joint filers and online or by phone.
A. The pre-filing credit counseling course takes a minimum of 60 minutes to complete. The pre-discharge debtor education course takes a minimum of 2 hours.
The methods of payment for the Pre-filing Credit Counseling Course and the Post-filing Debtor Education Course include credit cards and electronic check transfer. Access Counseling also accepts Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover.
If you request that your certificate be delivered by fax, certificates are typically sent within the day. If you request delivery by the U.S. postal service, certificates typically arrive within 3-4 business days.
These new rules require the completion of a Credit Counseling course BEFORE filing for bankruptcy. In addition, you must complete a second financial education course (called a "Debtor Education" course) AFTER you have filed for bankruptcy and BEFORE the Court can discharge your bankruptcy petition. The U.S. Department of Justice's Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) and the Bankruptcy Administrators in Alabama reviews and ultimately approves those organizations that are approved to offer these courses and issue official course certificates of completion to debtors in the USTP Regions and the State of Alabama.
A. Access Counseling offers both courses online and by telephone.
If you choose to take the Post-Filing Debtor Education course over the telephone, an experienced Access Counseling counselor will guide you through the course. It is highly recommended that you complete the course in one session. Please call (888) 234-7209 to get started or to answer any questions. Q.