Online Credit Counseling Course
When looking into filing for bankruptcy protection there are two credit counseling courses you need to complete. The first course is to complete a credit counseling course. You file this certificate along with the other initiating documents in every bankruptcy case. Before you receive your discharge order you must complete a debtor education course. You can complete either course online, over the phone, or in person. For a list of approved credit counseling agencies for either district in Ohio click here.
Pre-Filing Credit Counseling
The first counseling course will review your budget information. In addition, this course looks at your income, your monthly expenses, and your bills (credit cards, medical bills, car loans, mortgage payments, etc.). The counseling agency will look at your information and provide you with options. The agency may provide you with alternatives to filing bankruptcy or recommendations on how to change your budget.
alsoalsoThis course takes about an hour of your time. You will receive a credit counseling certificate upon completion of this course. This certificate is what you need in order to file a bankruptcy case. The certificate is valid for a 6 month period of time. You will have to take this course a second time if you take longer than 6 months to file your bankruptcy case from the date of completion.
Post-Filing Debtor Education
The second course prepares individuals for life after bankruptcy. This course provides financial management advice for dealing with finances after your bankruptcy case. Some of the topics covered include: budgeting, saving, building retirement, etc.
This course takes about two hours of your time to finish. You are eligible for your bankruptcy discharge once you file this certificate with the court. This course can be completed at any time after you file your case. In a Chapter 7 case you have 60 days from your Meeting of Creditors to obtain and file this certificate. In a Chapter 13 case you have to obtain and file this certificate before you make your final plan payment.