Do I have to take a debt counseling course?

Yes, in order to qualify for bankruptcy relief, a debtor must receive a briefing on credit counseling and budget analysis from an approved agency. Not all credit counselors are approved for bankruptcy counseling and able to issue the bankruptcy certificate required. If you have hired an attorney, the attorney will make sure that you complete this through an approved course. You may even be able to complete the program from your attorneys office, your home, or over the Internet.

In addition, to receive a discharge in a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, an individual debtor much also attend an approved financial management institutional course. It is important to complete the course because otherwise the bankruptcy may be closed without a discharge.