The Pre-Discharge Debtor Education Requirement in Bankruptcy

You must take a debtor education course after you file bankruptcy but before you get a discharge in your Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

By , Attorney · University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

In both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you (and your spouse if you file jointly) must take two courses before you receive a bankruptcy discharge (the order that wipes out qualifying debt)—one before you file your paperwork, and another afterward.

Read on to learn about the second class, a personal financial management course known by several names, including the debtor education course, the "second" course, and the post-filing course.

The Courses

Before you file for bankruptcy, most people must take a credit counseling course that helps you explore alternatives to bankruptcy. If filing for bankruptcy still makes sense to you after completing the course, you'll include the certificate of completion with your filing paperwork. (For more information, see The Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling Requirement.)

The debtor education course is different. It's a financial management course that you take after you've filed for bankruptcy but before you get a discharge. The debtor education course teaches you strategies that will help you stay financially healthy after your bankruptcy.

Approved Providers

You'll take the course from an agency approved by the Office of the U.S. Trustee. Unlike the agencies approved to provide pre-bankruptcy credit counseling, the agencies providing debtor education courses don't have to be a nonprofit organization. However, you must be allowed to pay on a sliding scale if you can't afford to pay the full price. You can take the course in a variety of ways, depending on the provider.

You can find approved agencies in your area by visiting the U.S. Trustee's website. Select "Credit Counseling & Debtor Education" in the left navbar.

Forms to File

After you take the course, you'll file Official Form 423 Certification About a Financial Management Course. On it, you'll certify that you have taken the course. You must also file a certificate of completion from the debtor education agency. In some cases, the agency will file the certificate for you.

Filing Deadlines

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than 45 days after the date on which your meeting of creditors was first scheduled. Don't miss the deadline. If you do, the court might close your case. If that happens, you'll have to reopen your case and repay the entire filing fee.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than the date on which you make your last plan payment. You can take the course early on in your case, however, and some attorneys recommend this because the course provides information that may help you budget and complete your plan.

To learn about other requirements and procedures in bankruptcy, see Bankruptcy Procedures.

After you take the course, you must file Official Form 423 Certification About a Financial Management Course. On it, you'll certify that you have taken the course. You must also file a certificate of completion from the debtor education agency.

When You Must Get the Counseling

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than 45 days after the date on which your meeting of creditors was first scheduled. Don't miss the deadline. If you do, the court might close your case. If that happens, you'll have to reopen your case and repay the entire filing fee.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must file Form 423 and the certificate no later than the date on which you make your last plan payment. You can take the course early on in your case, however, and some attorneys recommend this because the course provides information that may help you budget and successfully complete your plan.

To learn about other requirements and procedures in bankruptcy, see our Bankruptcy Filing & Procedures area.

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