pre-BK Counseling

[demismom]

Our attorney told us that we needed to complete some sort of counseling prior to filing, but we haven't heard anymore about it since our initial meeting. I've emailed asking about it today, and am waiting for a reply.

They are putting together our petition for our review as I type, how long does this counseling take? He said it could be done online. Thanx!

[BKTango]

Yes you can do it online, most have. We did ours at the local CCCS it took about an hour. Sometimes you will have to pay a fee for it and sometimes not depending on who you use. Basically it's a budget meeting between you and a credit counselor to see if bk is your only option or of course they can set you up with a debt management type of thing to pay back...you know. You MUST do this before your petition is filed with the courts or your case can be dismissed. Here is a link to help you learn about it some more. http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/index.htm there is also a debt management class you will have to take before your case is discharged, this is a huge requirement and must be done. There is also a sticky in this forum discussing both and giving some links of where people have done them online http://www.bankruptcyforum.com/showthread.php?t=6512 whichever you way you choose to take your course, you must use a court approved service. Remember that the credit counseling must be done before you file and the debt management must be done before discharge.

[demismom]

Thanx - so I should probably wait until I hear from my attorney right? I don't want to use a service not approved by my local court.

[petrified]

I used Hummingbird because they have no affiliations with credit card companies and did not require me to sign any innocuous disclosures about how they may share information with others...... It cost $49 for pre-BK credit counseling and I did majority of it online then had to call and speak to a counselor which took all of five minutes. After filing, I then did the Fin Mgmt course online with them which took 2hrs - basically, watch a video and then answer a quiz (multiple choice). That cost $19 and with a credit card, I was able to get the cert emailed to me.

Before you choose an agency, make sure that it is certified for your bankruptcy court district. Your attorney should have given you a list.

Hope this helps!

P

[demismom]

I didn't get anything at all. I wonder if it was an oversight, we touched on it briefly though, so maybe the info is coming with the packet that includes my petition for review?

[lrprn]

I didn't get anything at all. I wonder if it was an oversight, we touched on it briefly though, so maybe the info is coming with the packet that includes my petition for review?

Here's the list of approved credit counseling agencies for each state from the US Trustee Program, Dept of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm

Find your state and see which agencies are there and suit your needs. You can do the required counseling to get your pre-filing certificate in person, over the phone, or on the internet. We used Hummingbird as well before we filed Ch 13 last summer, and the CCCS agencies have been used by lots of members here as well.

Your lawyer MUST have the certificate of completion for your required pre-filing debtor education in hand before he can file your bankruptcy case. Don't wait for your lawyer to call or for the packet to arrive. It can take up to a week for the certificate to arrive in his office after you take the class. After looking over the approved agencies list, call your lawyer's office and tell them you are going to take your required class at XXX unless they have a preferred agency. Time's a wastin!

[manglicmot]

Hummingbird required me to mail in a money order to pay! How did you get to use a CC? I haven't done the second one yet, I would like to get it emailed to me rather than snail mail.

I used Hummingbird because they have no affiliations with credit card companies and did not require me to sign any innocuous disclosures about how they may share information with others...... It cost $49 for pre-BK credit counseling and I did majority of it online then had to call and speak to a counselor which took all of five minutes. After filing, I then did the Fin Mgmt course online with them which took 2hrs - basically, watch a video and then answer a quiz (multiple choice). That cost $19 and with a credit card, I was able to get the cert emailed to me.

Before you choose an agency, make sure that it is certified for your bankruptcy court district. Your attorney should have given you a list.

Hope this helps!

P

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

I did mine over the phone (telephone consultation), they charged my "debit/visa" card. It lasted about 30-45 minutes. I got my certificate within the hour via email. You need that certificate in you file prior to the 341 meeting or your case could get dismissed. As far as the financial mgmnt class the Trustee gave that to everyone the day of the 341 meeting to everyone that was present.

Best Wishes, CMIYC