credit counseling

[glc4122]

yes, im new to the forum and had a question about credit card counseling. does it have to be done within the 180 days before filing? or can you wait a day or two before?

[keepmine]

It has to be done prior to filing. One or two days prior to filing is within the 180 days rule.

[BKTango]

It can be done anytime before filing as long as you have that certificate in your hand and it's dated prior to the petition filing date. If I am not mistaken the issue of how long before you file is due to the certificate being considered invalid after a 180 days and you have to retake the counseling course and receive a new certificate.

[lrprn]

yes, im new to the forum and had a question about credit card counseling. does it have to be done within the 180 days before filing? or can you wait a day or two before?

First of all, the required education is not credit card couseling - it's credit counseling. You must go to a Department of Justice-approved bankruptcy counseling provider also. The list of approved providers for your state can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm . Just use the drop down list in the first box to select your state.

DO NOT WAIT to do this until the last few days before filing! If you do the required class online or over the telephone, companies need at least five working days to get your completion certificate generated and mailed to your lawyer (or to you if you are filing without a lawyer). Also if you plan to do the class in person, many of those classes fill up very quickly. You may need to make a reservations long in advance to be sure you get in.

Don't put this off until the very last minute - it's too important!

[desperation]

I did mine online thru CCCS, and they emailed the certificate back within 24 hours. I don't know if this is typical however.

I aree with Irpn though. Don't wait until the last minute to get this done. It takes a couple of hours to do online.

[figuringitout]

online credit counseling

Don't wait until the last minute to get this done. It takes a couple of hours to do online.

About CCCS - Can you tell me if you have to do the whole credit counseling in one sitting? Or can you save where you are and come back to it later?

Thanks.

Figuring it out in NY

[desperation]

If I remember correctly you can save after finishing a session.

Best of luck!

[joepepper2005]

does anybody know how much it costs for one in nj

there are sites but they won't say until you enter all info, including bank info

[lrprn]

does anybody know how much it costs for one in nj

there are sites but they won't say until you enter all info, including bank info

Your credit counseling doesn't have to physically be done in NJ. Here's the list of approved Dept of Justice credit counseling agencies - http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm . In the first drop down list, select New Jersey. You'll find online agencies plus agencies that have telephone and in-person classes - you can select the one that works the best for you.

Several members here have used an approved online CCCS branch or Hummingbird Credit Counseling to complete their required pre-filing certificate. Hummingbird http://www.hummingbirdcreditcounseling.org/ccfe.php currently costs $49 per bankruptcy case and they also have a fee waiver policy. We used Hummingbird and were very satisfied.

[figuringitout]

If you know what lawyer you're going through...

you should check with them. The fee for CCCS, ($49 or $50) is actually included in my lawyer's fee. She gave me a code, and it will get billed to her. Nice touch, so I don't have to put it on a credit card!

[twuoo]

What is the cheapest rate? My bk attorney is directing me to a place that charges $95.

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

The cheapest I heard was $35, you should expect to pay no more than $50. I would go to the one the forum is suggesting "hummingbird," I cant remember which one I took, but I had my consultation done over the phone while I was at my day job and it lasted like 30 minutes, 15 minutes later the representative shot me an email with the attached certificate, the very next day I filed.

Best of Luck, CMIYC

[HenriettaHen]

You might also try CCCS in Atlanta. I liked their program very much.

Here's the link:

https://bkeducation.credability.org/.../Intintion.asp

This is the part we missed in life. Go with an open heart and mind.

[joepepper2005]

Thanks all