Before you can conclude your bankruptcy filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection, you must first complete a debtor education course.
You have several choices. Most people select to do an online course at their convenience where you can start and stop as often as you like as opposed to travelling to a credit counseling office.
The Debtor Education Course requirement has to be fulfilled after you file your bankruptcy case and before your debts can be discharged, as opposed to the bankruptcy counseling course, which must happen within 6 months of filing for bankruptcy.
While the bankruptcy counseling course examines your situation, your budget and your options, the post-bankruptcy course goes over concepts such as saving, budgeting and planning, money management, debt management, and making wise financial decisions. You’ll learn how to access and read your credit report, how to set realistic financial goals, how to obtain new credit and re-establish your own credit.
You can find a reputable debtor education course through the Department of Justice website, which lists course providers by state. Many providers offer courses in a variety of languages. You can attend your course in person, online or by telephone. You can also ask your attorney to recommend a course.
The course costs are normally around $35 and lasts about two hours. Course administrators are required to provide waivers for the fee if needed. At the end of your course you get a secure certificate, which is required by the court to complete your discharge. Some providers will file your certificate for you, but others will require you to file it with the court yourself.
As your counselor at law, we assist you in taking control of your financial situation, stop lawsuits, garnishments and foreclosures so that you can get a fresh start.
Over the past 33 years, the Law Offices of Christopher A. Benson has helped over 2,300 of Washington clients take control of their financial situation. We can stop your garnishment and change your monthly payments for all your combined unsecured debt, and if you have had more than $600 garnished within the last 90 days, we can get all of the money back in most cases. But you have to act quickly–call (253) 815-6940 for your free consultation, or email us today. Evening and weekend appointments available.
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