Debtors Education – Pre-bankruptcy Course (3.5CME)

Post-Filing Debtor Education – NOT AN APPROVED Course / Provider by U.S. Trustee’s Office. May be taken for CME credits for mediators.

After you file for bankruptcy, but before you can receive a discharge in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must complete a course in personal financial management (also called the predischarge debtor education course). The purpose of the debtor education course is to teach you how to manage money and use credit wisely after bankruptcy. If you don’t complete the debtor education requirement, the court won’t issue a discharge in your bankruptcy. Read on to learn more about the debtor education course requirement in bankruptcy.

Who Must Take the Debtor Education Course?

With a few exceptions, all Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy debtors must complete a course in debtor education before they can receive a discharge. (Learn more about the exceptions to the debtor education requirement.)

In general, you must complete the debtor education course unless:

-you have a disability or incapacity that prevents you from taking the course

-you are on active duty in a military combat zone, or

-you don’t have an adequate debtor education course available in your district (this is a very rare occurrence).

As per the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), consumers who would like to receive a discharge of a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy are required to complete a personal financial management session with an approved counseling provider.

This is NOT AN APPROVED Course / Provider by U.S. Trustee’s Office.