Online Credit Counseling-what to expect!

[newbeginning]

Hi all,

My wife and I will be going through an 1-hour credit counseling session online for our Chapter 7. What can we expect?

Also, we are instructed to make a call to a credit counselor immediately after the session. It sounds like we can do this anytime, so it seems that there is someone available to speak to 24/7. What can we expect from this?

Thanks.

[UhOh]

Mine actually took a couple hours and then a phone call. A lot like the paperwork you fill out to file BK. Your income, debts, assets, monthly budget, etc. Then they analyze it. Then you talk about what ways you can save money or do better. Clip coupons, carry lunch to work, combine errand trips to save gas, etc.

I am about ready to do my post filing sessions now.

Good luck.

[OhioFiler]

We did the entire process in about 35 minutes. The questions they ask are simple. It's part of their required procedure. THe answers you give are irrelevant. Just answer to the best of your ability and they'll issue the certificate.

[catleg]

This is just mandatory humiliation / hoop you must jump through, inflicted on us by the same corporate oligarchs who are bellying up to the federal trough to get bailed out for bringing themselves and everybody else to the brink of disaster.

No concept of "eating your own dog food" here.

[southernbelle]

I agree with everyone else. It took about 45 minutes and was just another legal hoop to jump through. Since most of my debt was from my business, there were lots of questions that didn't apply to me and it was obvious when I called the 800 number the rep. didn't really know how to handle my situation either. It was very unnecessary and at one point I wanted to tell her that I knew how bad my sitatuation was and I wouldn't be considering BK if I had any other choices, but I needed that certificate so I played along.

[StartingOver08]

Make sure you call right away so you get the pre-filing certificate right over to your attorney - he has to file it right away with the court. There is a time limit, can't remember the limit exactly but within 10 days of filing is what I seem to remember. My attorney would not even file without having the certificate in his office by the filing date so I know its not a lot of time.

BTW, congrats on getting it filed!

[BigJohn]

The counseling is just one hurdle you have to jump in order to file bankruptcy. Don't expect to learn or benefit from it.

[liz417]

Hi!
Mine took about 20 minutes, you just read different paragraphs that explains how people get in debt (duh!) and how you can avoid using credit (another DUH!) if you don't have the means to pay for it. It was just common sense stuff...pretty easy. At the end I took a appox. 10 question multiple question test (easy) and was told to call the center to complete the certificate. When I spoke to a "consultant", she went over my household numbers. I was not very nice because I KNEW I was filing for BK and here she was "offering suggestions" to cut my budget! She told me that I would be able to cut my Dry Cleaning bill out (which is about $60 a month) if I purchased clothing that was washable! My husband is a professional and I launder what I can, but the suits need to be dry cleaned! The "class" was BS and a waste of time, I just wanted the certificate to move forward on my BK case...
I think by the time people file for BK, they have sought out every other avenue and BK is the only option, so I feel I didn't need suggestions on "how to avoid BK"...
Alright, my rant is over...basically the class was pretty easy. Good Luck!

[jennordhavn]

I did mine all online, didn't have to talk to anyone. I even found a place that did it for free in my district and got the certificate the next day via email.

[momxx5]

quick question:

If DH & I are filing jointly do we have to do the online session together? Our schedules really do not allow for us to spend 1hr together on the computer.

[liz417]

quick question:

If DH & I are filing jointly do we have to do the online session together? Our schedules really do not allow for us to spend 1hr together on the computer.

I took the online portion for my husband and I by myself. My husband had to be there for the "call-in" portion, but they had consultants 24/7. I was told that if my husband wasn't avail, he could call in at a seperate time and give our case number.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

You have to take 2 classes. 1 before you can file. The 2nd after you file or your case will get dismissed. It's best to do the second before your 341 meeting. Just tell the company you are planning to file CH7 and your just doing this class because it is required. Telling them you are filing BK will prevent them from trying to go through setting up a Debt management plan (DMP) and they will just go through the paper work process with you. 20-40 minutes should easily cover it.
If you are filing jointly you "should" both be there to take the class and call in.

[newbeginning]

thanks all. i am aware that this is a ridiculous added step to bankruptcy process. we're meeting with our attorney tomorrow and have not completed the counseling, but will over the weekend.

[Aaaaah!]

When I did mine, the counsellor said "did you find the course helpful?" And I said "um...sure." He said "you don't sound convinced" so I said: "Well, I think this is a big waste of time. It's clear to me that a bunch of Congresspeople and Senators who were in the back pockets of the banking industry got together and came up with a bunch of b.s. for regular people to go through. Meanwhile, if the management of the bank that fired me because they messed things up seem to be in need of a class. If you want, I'll give you their phone numbers."

The guy said "OK, I'll issue your certificate now."

I basically made up the numbers in the "course". If I can't pay, I can't pay, it doesn't matter, does it? Clipping coupons and buying family pack meats at the grocery store is actually insulting advice to give to someone in my predicament.

[Flowers]

I did the pre-filing session on the phone. I found it very helpful and the lady really spent some time with me talking about my situation and gave me some helpful tips.

The post mandatory session was not so helpful. I was looking forward to the same kind of personalized attention and it turned out to be a computer session where I had to read chapters and then take a test.