Mandatory Credit Counseling

The 2005 Bankruptcy Law changes (BAPCPA) requires mandatory credit counseling prior to filing a bankruptcy petition and another course after you’ve filed your petition. The credit counseling session must be completed through a credit counseling agency approved by the Office of the U.S. Trustee. The counseling may be done in person, be telephone or over the internet. A Credit Counseling certificate of completion must accompany the initial bankruptcy petition.

Pre-Filing Credit Counseling Certificate

Within 180 days before filing a bankruptcy petition, you must complete the first counseling course. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate which you need in order to file your bankruptcy petition. During this session, you will be asked about your income and expenses. Your household budget will be analyzed and options will be discussed for resolving your debt problems. Some options are self-help, a debt management program, debt settlement and bankruptcy. The counseling session lasts anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes and will cost approximately $35.00.

Post-Filing Personal Financial Management Course

After you file bankruptcy and attend your “341 Meeting,” you will be required to complete a personal financial management education course. The purpose of this course is to teach you how to better manage your finances after your bankruptcy. If you do not complete this course, your debts will not be discharged. Upon completion of the course, you will be given a certificate that must be filed with the court. This course will last approximately two hours and also cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $15.00.

The Bankruptcy Law Firm of Clare Casas handles bankruptcy cases in Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Dania, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale, Hollywood, Inverrary, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderhill, Margate, Lighthouse Point, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pembroke Park, Tamarac, Weston, Wilton Manors, Pompano, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Delray and South Florida.

Call today for a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney at either our Davie location or our Coral Springs office!