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Credit Counseling

Pre-bankruptcy Credit Counseling Certificate

All individuals filing bankruptcy must take a brief Credit Counseling class before they are eligible to file bankruptcy.  This class may easily be taken on the Internet, but is also available via telephone or in-person at certain locations.  Normally, the class takes less than 30 minutes.  If a husband and wife are filing a joint bankruptcy, both individuals must take the class but they can do so at the same time, or individually at separate times.  Remember this:  Your certificate does not become valid until one day AFTER you take the class.  So, if you need to file bankruptcy in a hurry, get this done right away.  Also, your certificate is good for 180 days!  Keep this in mind because you will need to file bankruptcy within 180 of taking the class.  If you wait too long to file, don’t worry,  you’ll just have to take it again.

How and where do I find a service provider for the Credit Counseling class?

The United States Trustee’s office in Washington, DC keeps a current list of all qualified providers.  To obtain a complete list, click on this link. Please note that the cost of these classes varies between providers and the prices often change.

We do have some favorites, but you are free to choose any qualified provider that you like and ultimately they all provide the same service.

We recommend:

Bankruptcy Counseling (DECAF) Course 1

Debt Education & Certification Foundation (DECAF)
Course 1
DECAF (Attorney code: 94888)
www.DECAFnow.com

Post-bankruptcy Class (Debtor Education)

Important information:  All individuals that file bankruptcy MUST take a second class in order to have their bankruptcy approved (discharged).  If you don’t take the second class, you just filed bankruptcy for nothing!!!  This is a very simple class to take and it’s pretty inexpensive too.  In fact, the second class is normally just watching an educational video for an hour or so.

Here are some specifics about the second class:

  • You can not take the 2nd class until after you actually file bankruptcy
  • You must take the class before your case is closed or discharged.
  • If you fail to take the 2nd class, it costs extra to reopen your bankruptcy to have it filed.  Ouch!
  • The Debtor Education class is also commonly referred to as the “Financial Management Course”

How and where do I find a service provider for the Debtor Education class?

The United States Trustee’s office in Washington, DC keeps a current list of all qualified providers.  To obtain a complete list, click on this link .  Please note that the cost of these classes varies between providers and the prices often change.

We do have some favorites, but you are free to choose any qualified provider that you like and ultimately they all provide the same service.

We recommend:

Bankruptcy Counseling (DECAF) Course 2

Debt Education & Certification Foundation (DECAF)
Course 2
DECAF (Attorney code:  94888)
www.DECAFnow.com