how long does the pre bankruptcy on line course take to complete

by Lexus Quigley II 9 min read

A: The pre-​​filing bankruptcy credit counseling course takes a minimum of 60 minutes to complete. The pre-​​discharge debtor education course takes a minimum of 2 hours.

Full Answer

How long does pre-bankruptcy credit counseling take?

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. How much does this cost?

What is the bankruptcy qualification process?

Bankruptcy is an unusual area of law because it's essentially a qualification process. The laws provide instructions for completing a 50- to 60-page bankruptcy petition, and because all rules apply in every case, you can't skip a step. The forms and resources below will help you find more information.

How much do bankruptcy education courses cost?

Course costs vary, but the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) says that courses costing less than $50 are reasonable. Any bankruptcy education provider that wants to charge more than that needs approval from EOUST. You can take the course in person, by phone or on the internet and the instructor will provide all required materials.

Do you have to take a course before filing bankruptcy?

The Courses. Before you file for bankruptcy, most people must take a credit counseling course that helps you explore alternatives to bankruptcy. If filing for bankruptcy still makes sense to you after completing the course, you’ll include the certificate of completion with your filing paperwork.

How many courses do you need to file for bankruptcy?

What is the second course in bankruptcy?

How long does it take to get a credit counseling certificate?

What is debtor education?

Do you have to agree to a repayment plan for bankruptcy?

About this website

What is pre discharge debtor education?

About Pre-Discharge Education It prevents creditors or collection agencies from collecting debts through legal action or communication, such as phone calls, letters or personal contact.

What is Debtorcc?

Required Bankruptcy Course 001 Debtorcc, Inc. is approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a pre-filing bankruptcy credit counseling session in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code.

Why do you think the law requires a debtor to receive credit counseling prior to being allowed to file for bankruptcy?

The bankruptcy counseling and debtor education requirements were enacted to ensure that consumers have exhausted all other options and reduce the likelihood of a second visit to the bankruptcy court. The U.S. government must approve counseling organizations to qualify.

Is borrower a debtor?

If you're a debtor, you are indebted to someone else. Sometimes, a debtor refers to someone who files for bankruptcy. A borrower and debtor are nearly interchangeable terms. A borrower is in debt to a lender or financial institution when they borrow money.

What can you not do after filing bankruptcies?

After you file for bankruptcy protection, your creditors can't call you, or try to collect payment from you for medical bills, credit card debts, personal loans, unsecured debts, or other types of debt.

What is the downside of filing for bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy can negatively impact your immediate financial future. Obtaining credit after filing for bankruptcy could mean increased interest rates. Obtaining credit after filing for bankruptcy might require security deposits.

Can you file for bankruptcy and keep your house?

If you kept your house throughout the bankruptcy process, you are free to keep your home after the bankruptcy – as long as you continue to pay the mortgage. It may be that after you are free of all the rest of your debt you will be able to afford the mortgage payments easily. If so, you'll be able to keep your house.

What's The Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Requirement?

When you file for bankruptcy, you must fulfill several requirements. For instance, you must: 1. disclose all aspects of your financial situation by...

Why You Must Take Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling

Credit counseling gives you an idea of whether you really need to file for bankruptcy or whether an informal repayment plan would get you back on y...

How to Find Credit Counseling Agencies and The Expected Costs

Your bankruptcy jurisdiction must approve the particular course that you take. You can find an approved provider by visiting the U.S. Trustee’s web...

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 wit...

How long does it take to get a bankruptcy certificate?

If you filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’ll have 45 days to file the completion certificate after you finish the course.

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.

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 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.

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 is pre-discharge credit counseling?

When you complete the first course – pre-filing bankruptcy credit counseling – you receive a certificate that you, or your attorney, must include when filing for bankruptcy. The same situation exists after completing the second course – pre-discharge debtor education, which is sometimes referred to as Financial Management.

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.

How long does it take to get a bankruptcy education certificate?

Bankruptcy Education Deadlines. Those who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection have 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors to complete the debtor education course and file the certification of completion with the court.

What is bankruptcy education?

What Is Bankruptcy Debtor Education? In order to be discharged from Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must complete a Pre-Discharge Debtor Education course. The purpose of this bankruptcy course is to help you remain financially secure and use credit wisely so you don’t end up in bankruptcy again.

What is the credit counseling requirement for bankruptcy?

It includes the requirement that all Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy petitioners complete approved credit counseling and provide to the court a certificate of completion from a U.S. Trustee-approved, nonprofit credit counseling agency. The law also requires all consumers who file for bankruptcy to successfully complete two bankruptcy courses prior to having debts discharged.

What is the form 23 for debtor education?

When you complete the debtor education course, you must file a form called Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Postpetition Instructional Course Concerning Personal Financial Management (Official Form 23) with the court.

How to get credit counseling after bankruptcy?

With Pre-file Credit Counseling, you’ll start online, then receive a personal counseling session by telephone to discuss the details of your current financial situation with a Certified Financial Counselor. Your counselor will help you build an accurate picture of your current finances, then give specific advice on actions you can take to improve it. You’ll also discuss short- and long-term financial goals and determine if there are any alternatives to bankruptcy. The counselor will explain consequences of bankruptcy and actions you can take to get back on sound footing after a bankruptcy.

What happens if you miss Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Those who file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy must complete the class and file the certification of completion before your last repayment plan payment or before you file a motion for discharge. If you miss these deadlines , the court will dismiss your case. To reopen it, you must repay the bankruptcy filing fee.

What are the exceptions to debtor education?

Exceptions include: being on active duty in a military combat zone. a disability that prevents you from taking the course. no court-approved course providers are available in your area. a course isn’t available in a language you understand.

How many courses do you need to file for bankruptcy?

A person who files for bankruptcy must take two educational courses before receiving a bankruptcy discharge wiping out qualifying debt. Before you can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must consult with a nonprofit credit-counseling agency to see whether you can feasibly handle your debt load outside of bankruptcy, ...

What is the second course in bankruptcy?

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.

How long does it take to get a credit counseling certificate?

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.

What is debtor education?

The debtor education course provides the filer with financial management tools, such as tips for creating a budget and rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.

Do you have to agree to a repayment plan for bankruptcy?

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.

How long does debtor education last?

Regardless of the method of instruction, the course will typically last at least two hours. If you attend the course in person, an instructor will provide you with course materials and teach you in a class setting.

How much is a reasonable fee for debtor education?

But the new rules published by the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) state that $50 or less is a reasonable fee. If a debtor education provider wants to charge more than $50, it has to get approval from the EOUST. (Learn more about the new debtor education rules .) Fee waivers.

What happens if you don't complete debtor education?

If you don't complete the debtor education course within the specified deadlines, the court will typically close your bankruptcy case without a discharge. This means that if you want to wipe out your debts, you will need to file a motion, pay the necessary fees, and ask the court to reopen your case so that you can file ...

How to get discharged from Chapter 7?

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 of the debtor education requirement is to educate you on making smart financial choices so that you won't have to seek bankruptcy relief in the future. When you take the debtor education course, you ...

What is debtor education?

The purpose of the debtor education course is to teach you how to manage money and use credit wisely after bankruptcy. If you don't complete the debtor education requirement, the court won't issue a discharge in your bankruptcy. Read on to learn more about the debtor education course requirement in bankruptcy.

Do you have to take debtor education before discharge?

With a few exceptions, all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy debtors must complete a course in debtor education before they can receive a discharge. (Learn more about the exceptions to the debtor education requirement .) you don't have an adequate debtor education course available in your district (this is a very rare occurrence).

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 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.

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.

How many classes do you need to take before filing for bankruptcy?

In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you (and your spouse if you file jointly) must take two courses before you receive a bankruptcy discharge (the order that wipes out qualifying debt)—one before you file your paperwork, and another afterward. Read on to learn about the second class, a personal financial management course known by several ...

What happens if you miss the deadline for filing bankruptcy?

Don't miss the deadline. If you do, the court might close your case. If that happens, you'll have to reopen your case and repay the entire filing fee. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than the date on which you make your last plan payment.

What is debtor education?

It's a financial management course that you take after you've filed for bankruptcy but before you get a discharge. The debtor education course teach es you strategies that will help you stay financially healthy after your bankruptcy.

How long does it take to file a 423?

Filing Deadlines. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than 45 days after the date on which your meeting of creditors was first scheduled. Don't miss the deadline. If you do, the court might close your case.

When do you file a 423?

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than the date on which you make your last plan payment. You can take the course early on in your case, however, and some attorneys recommend this because the course provides information that may help you budget and complete your plan.

Can you pay credit counseling on a sliding scale?

However, you must be allowed to pay on a sliding scale if you can't afford to pay the full price. You can take the course in a variety of ways, depending on the provider. You can find approved agencies in your area by visiting the U.S. Trustee's website. Select "Credit Counseling & Debtor Education" in the left navbar.

Do you have to be a nonprofit to take bankruptcy counseling?

Unlike the agencies approved to provide pre-bankruptcy credit counseling, the agencies providing debtor education courses don't have to be a nonprofit organization.

How many courses do you need to file for bankruptcy?

A person who files for bankruptcy must take two educational courses before receiving a bankruptcy discharge wiping out qualifying debt. Before you can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must consult with a nonprofit credit-counseling agency to see whether you can feasibly handle your debt load outside of bankruptcy, ...

What is the second course in bankruptcy?

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.

How long does it take to get a credit counseling certificate?

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.

What is debtor education?

The debtor education course provides the filer with financial management tools, such as tips for creating a budget and rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.

Do you have to agree to a repayment plan for bankruptcy?

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.

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