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. In most cases, you will also need to attach the course completion certificate you receive from the provider to Form 23.
Bankruptcy is a very serious matter that requires a great deal of forethought and planning. Thus, before filing for bankruptcy, it is important that a debtor take the following steps to prepare: Compile financial records: Compile a list of property, debts, assets, income, liabilities, and expenses. Keep in mind that debts, such as federal ...
Before filing for bankruptcy, consider some of the following alternatives: Negotiate with your lenders. Whatever form of debt you hold, it’s possible to negotiate with your creditors. You might be able to get a one-month extension on your car payment, have some of your interest-only credit card debt forgiven or obtain a mortgage modification. ...
This counseling session will focus on things like:
What Happens After Bankruptcy?
Receiving a bankruptcy certificate is a required first step in filing for bankruptcy. To receive a certificate, you must complete a credit counseling course from an organization approved by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program.
When you enroll in a pre-bankruptcy credit counseling course, allow 60 to 90 minutes to complete the session. During that time you will be counseled on: Your personal financial situation and review your current financial buying habits and goals. Assist in setting up a personal budget plan.
These certificates are valid for six months (180 days) from the date of the certificate.
The U.S. Trustee Program operates in all states, except for Alabama and North Carolina. If you live in either of these states, court officials called Bankruptcy Administrators approve the organizations that provide credit counseling and debtor education courses.
You can take these courses in person at an approved credit counselor’s office, by phone, or online. The courses generally cost $50, depending on your location and the types of services you receive.
ACCC is a nonprofit, Better Business Bureau accredited credit counseling agency with an A + rating.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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).
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 ...
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.
The Executive Office of the United States Trustee (“EOUST”) states that “sessions should last approximately 60 minutes .”.
The U.S. Trustee Program determines the approved providers for each judicial district in all but two states. Alabama and North Carolina don't have a U.S. Trustee. There, the bankruptcy administrator decides which nonprofit organizations may provide credit counseling to filers.
This credit counseling class will help you decide if bankruptcy is necessary or if you can get back on track using a more informal repayment plan.
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is subject to a $338 fee by the federal court. This amount is usually due after a bankruptcy petition has been filed with the court.
Once you have completed the bankruptcy papers, you need to print them for court.
A Chapter 7 trustee (or a court-appointed person) is responsible for overseeing your case and liquidating exempt property.
After filing bankruptcy papers, you will need to complete a Debtor Educational Course at an approved credit counseling agency. It costs between $10 and $50 and can be completed online or over the phone.
Within a month of your bankruptcy filing, a 341 meeting (or meeting of creditors) will be held. This notification will inform you of the location, date, and time of your 341 meetings.
Tell the court and bank what you plan to do with the car in bankruptcy if you owe money.