how long is the post filing debtor education course

by Theo Johnston 8 min read

2 hours

When do I need to take this post-filing debtor education course?

The pre-filing credit counseling course takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.The post-filing debtor education course takes a minimum of 2 hours to complete (by law).

When to complete the debtor education course after filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

May 22, 2020 · 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. Any debtor education provider that wants to charge more must get approval from the EOUST.

What happens if I don’t complete the debtor education course?

When Do I Have to Complete the Debtor Education Requirement? Chapter 7 filers have 60 days after the 341 meeting of creditors to file the certificate. Chapter 13 filers must file the completion certificate before making the last Chapter 13 repayment plan payment. Keep in mind that missing the filing deadline is expensive.

How do I get a debtor education certificate?

The post-filing debtor education course takes a minimum of 2 hours to complete (by law). Back to top Do I have to complete the course in one sitting? No, your progress is saved as you proceed through each course. You can close your browser at any time, and return to the site later.

How much does Bothcourses cost?

How much does the course cost? Both courses may be taken online or over the telephone. The Online Credit Counseling Course is $20. The Online Debtor Education Course is $20.

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 a Form 423?

Bankruptcy Official Form 423 informs debtors of their requirements to complete the second class. Officially, the class is called a “Financial Management Course.”Jun 12, 2017

Can you add debt to a Chapter 7?

If you file a Chapter 7 case and find out about it before the case is closed, you can have your attorney file an amendment to add the creditor and all will be well.May 1, 2013

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 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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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).

How long do you have to take Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

In a chapter 7 case, you must take the debtor education course: (1) after you file your bankruptcy case and (2) within 60 days after your first meeting date with your creditors and bankruptcy trustee. This meeting is also known as a Sec. 341 meeting (named after Sec. 341 of the Bankruptcy Code which requires it).

How to complete the automated telephonic course?

To complete the automated telephonic course, call 800.214.7030 Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm ET and a representative will take payment and send you into the course – no appointment necessary. alternatively, you can register online 24/7 and follow the instructions to call into the course.

What is a Chapter 13 bankruptcy meeting?

This meeting is also known as a Sec. 341 meeting (named after Sec. 341 of the Bankruptcy Code which requires it). In a chapter 13 or chapter 11 case, the debtor education course must be taken (1) after you file your petition for bankruptcy and (2) no later than the last payment you have to make as required by your bankruptcy plan, ...

Is there a second bankruptcy course?

Yes, Second Bankruptcy Course LLC is approved by the United States Trustee to issue certificates in compliance with the Bankruptcy Code. Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of a Provider’s services.

How long is the debtor education course?

As a result, the debtor education requirement is a 2-hour course. When done, you'll receive a certificate of completion that you have to submit to the bankruptcy court.

How long do you have to take pre bankruptcy credit counseling?

You have 6 months to take the pre-filing course. Once your forms are filed with the bankruptcy court, you’ll want to get the second course done within 60 days of your meeting of creditors (or before the meeting, if you want). The courses are offered by nonprofit organizations that are pre-approved by the U.S. Trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator).

What do I need to do if I file for bankruptcy?

In a Nutshell. If you’re filing bankruptcy to wipe away your debt you’ll need to take two educational courses. A credit counseling course before filing your case and a financial management course after filing. Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer. Updated January 5, 2021.

What to do during a credit counseling session?

During the credit counseling session, you'll speak with a credit counselor about your financial situation. Once done, they may recommend that you consider a repayment plan but oftentimes they'll simply provide you with the bankruptcy certificate to submit to the court along with your bankruptcy forms. The certificate is how you prove ...

How many courses do I need to take to become a bankruptcy attorney?

You’ll also need to take two educational courses. One before and one after filing bankruptcy. This is required by the Bankruptcy Code . There is usually a small cost for this counseling service, but bankruptcy law requires that anyone who can't afford to pay the cost can apply for a fee waiver.

How long is credit counseling?

The Executive Office of the United States Trustee (“EOUST”) states that “sessions should last approximately 60 minutes .”.

Do I need a bankruptcy case number to take the second bankruptcy course?

The second bankruptcy course has to be completed after your case is filed. In fact, you’ll need your bankruptcy case number to even sign up for the course. From there, it’s really your preference how quickly you want to get this requirement over with.

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.

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.

What happens if you fail debtor education?

This is why it’s important that you schedule your debtor education course as soon as possible so that if you fail it you can retake the course and still get your discharge.

How long do you have to take a 341?

You have 60 days from the initial date of your 341 meeting to take the debtor education course in a Chapter 7 case and file your certificate of completion with the bankruptcy court. This means that even if your 341 meeting is extended to another date, the clock starts ticking from the first date that was set. In a Chapter 13 case, you must take the court before you make your final plan payment. This is why it’s important that you schedule your debtor education course as soon as possible so that if you fail it you can retake the course and still get your discharge.

What does failure to take a course mean?

However, failure to take the course or to pass it could mean that your bankruptcy case is closed without a discharge. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix the situation if you fail the course.

What is debtor education?

Debtor education course focuses on post-bankruptcy financial issues. After debtors have completed several steps in a bankruptcy proceeding, they are expected to take a financial management course that will help them avoid accumulating significant debt in the future.

How long does it take to file a bankruptcy certificate?

The post-filing financial management program must be taken, and a certificate of completion filed with the court, within 45 days after the Chapter 7 debtor attends the 341 meeting of creditors. In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, in which creditors are paid over several years, debtors must file the certificate before the last payment is made through ...

What is life after bankruptcy?

Life after bankruptcy, when people need to rebuild their damaged credit, is also explored in the debtor education course. People can learn how to review credit reports and scores and how they can be improved during the class.

Do you need credit counseling before filing bankruptcy?

Along with a credit counseling class before filing bankruptcy, there is a post-filing course that is required by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court before debts can be discharged. But rather than reviewing alternative ways for a person to resolve their current financial troubles, as the counseling course does, the second program is focused on ...

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