Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the new requirements of the bankruptcy law changes?
- What is the difference between “Bankruptcy Certification” and “Pre-Discharge Education”?
- Are both of these courses required?
- When do these courses need to be completed?
- How long do the courses need to be?
- How do I take these courses?
- How do I get my results?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I contact Debt Education and Certification Foundation for more information?
1. What are the new requirements of the bankruptcy law changes?
The Bankruptcy Certification course fulfills the requirement for completion of a 90-minute evaluation by a U.S. Trustee approved non-profit credit counseling course prior to filing Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some exceptions may apply for emergency filing situations. The Pre-Discharge Education course consists of a 2-hour online course to be completed by the debtor on financial management. The Pre-Discharge Education course needs to be successfully completed prior to the discharge of the bankruptcy case. Some local jurisdictions require the certificate to be filed within 45 days after the originally scheduled 341 hearing. Check your local rules for clarification is your jurisdiction.
2. What is the difference between “Bankruptcy Certification” and “Pre-Discharge Education”?
Bankruptcy certification is where debtors wishing to file Chapter 13 or 7 under the United States Bankruptcy code need to participate in a credit counseling or “bankruptcy certification” course approved by the United States Trustee. The bankruptcy certification course is a 90-minute course which must be completed within 180 days prior to the filing of a bankruptcy (exceptions may apply for emergency filings). The organization providing the bankruptcy certification course must be approved as a non-profit credit counseling organization and follow the guidelines established by U.S. Trustee for the content and course length. Debt Education and Certification Foundation provides this type of course specifically to meet the needs of bankruptcy attorneys and debtors seeking relief under Chapter 13 or 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Courses are available for debtors over the internet to increase convenience for the debtor, as well as the attorney filing the bankruptcy. Upon successful completion of the course, certificates can be delivered by email in a PDF format, faxed or mailed.
Pre-Discharge Education refers to the requirement of debtors to participate in a U.S. Trustee approved debtor education course through a non-profit credit counseling organization prior to the discharge of a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The course is a two-hour course over financial management and is required in addition to the bankruptcy certification course taken prior to filing. Debt Education and Certification Foundation provides this type of course to meet the requirements set out by recent bankruptcy legislation. Courses are available to be completed over the internet in a user-friendly format for the convenience of debtors and their attorneys. Certificates of completion will be delivered to the attorney or debtor by email in a PDF format, faxed or mailed.
3. Are both of these courses required?
Yes, both courses are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the U.S. Trustee. The Bankruptcy Certification course fulfills the requirement for completion of a 90-minute evaluation by a U.S. Trustee approved non-profit credit counseling course prior to filing Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Some exceptions may apply for emergency filing situations. The Pre-Discharge Education course consists of a 2-hour online course to be completed by the debtor on financial management. The Pre-Discharge Education course needs to be successfully completed prior to the discharge of the bankruptcy case.
4. When do these courses need to be completed?
The Bankruptcy Certification course needs to be completed within 180 days prior to filing the Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. Exceptions may apply for emergency filing situations. The Pre-Discharge Education course will need to be completed after filing, but prior to discharge of the bankruptcy case. Some local jurisdictions require the certificate to be filed within 45 days after the originally scheduled 341 hearing. Check your local rules for clarification is your jurisdiction.
5. How long do the courses need to be?
The Bankruptcy Certification course consists of a 90-minute online course in a user-friendly format that can be completed from any computer with internet access at the convenience of the debtor.
The Pre-Discharge Education course consists of a 2-hour online financial management course. Again, the course can be completed from any computer with internet access at the convenience of the debtor. Certificates after successful completion of each course can be emailed in PDF format, faxed or mailed.
6. How do I take these courses?
To take an online course to meet bankruptcy law requirements with Debt Education and Certification Foundation, go to www.BKcert.com. Call 1-866-859-7323 or for additional assistance with registering or for other questions.
To register to take a course now, Click Here
Attorneys
Debt Education and Certification Foundation offers attorney accounts to streamline this process for your staff and clients. After creating an account, the attorney will be able to login and view the status of online courses taken by their clients, and download certificates directly from our website. Certificates are also emailed to the contact person designated during attorney account setup to allow for immediate availability of completion certificates.
Please visit the Attorney Section for more information.
7. How do I get my results?
After successful completion of the Bankruptcy Certification course or Pre-Discharge Education course, certificates of completion can be emailed in a PDF format, faxed or mailed.
If the course was registered through an attorney account, the certificate will automatically be emailed to the attorney and post to their online account.
8. How much does it cost to take a course?
Attorneys - Please visit the Attorney Section
The Credit Counseling (pre-bankruptcy filing) course is $50 (you will not need to register spouses separately or pay an additional fee if a spouse is completing the course with you). The course can be paid for online using a debit, credit or pre-paid debit card. Call 866-859-7323 for addtional payment options.
The Debtor Education (post-bankruptcy filing) course is $50 (you will not need to register spouses separately or pay an additional fee if a spouse is completing the course with you).The course can be paid for online using a debit, credit or pre-paid debit card. Call 866-859-7323 for addtional payment options.
To register to take a course, Click Here
9. How do I contact Debt Education and Certification Foundation for more information?
Call us at: 866-859-7323
Email us:
Course website: www.BkCert.com
Write us at:
DECAF
112 Goliad Street, Suite D
Benbrook, TX 76126
