Required Credit Counseling & Debtor Ed Classes

Click here for info on Class 2: AFTER FILING class                                                                                                       

Class 1: To be done BEFORE filing bankruptcy

What is required: The law requires that you submit to a "credit counseling" class BEFORE your bankruptcy case is filed. This is easy, but it must be completed BEFORE your case gets filed. 

Cost of the class: There is nothing you have to pay to get started with the class. Use our attorney code BTX92260. (The cost will be discounted from $50 to $15 which we will collect from you and pay to them.)

This class is NOT a test: You will not be graded and you cannot fail. Just fill in the information requested as best you can. You don’t need to prepare anything special. Just fill in the information from memory or whatever records you happen to have in front of you.

When the class is available: This class is available 24/7, that is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

When you should do the class: This counseling can be done at any time before you file, but we strongly suggest you get it done BEFORE your next appointment with our office. 

If you are married and both you and your spouse are filing bankruptcy: We suggest that you arrange for both of you to do the credit counseling at the same time. Otherwise, your spouse would have to complete and possibly pay for a second and separate credit counseling session.

Ready to get started?  There are 2 ways to complete your class: (1) Online or  (2) Over-The-Phone.

(1) The "Online" way (recommended):

• Do you have access to a computer (or even an ipad or similar larger-screen device) with access to the internet?    
• Are you pretty good with computers and using the internet, or have someone to help you who is?  
• Can you type or do you have someone who can type for you?

If you can answer "YES" to all 3 questions: The easiest way to get your class done is to use the "online” program provided by a company called DECAF (also known as "BkCert.com").  

Note: If you answer "NO" to any of these questions, please scroll down to section "(2)" for instructions on how to complete the class "over-the-phone".

Can you type? The credit counseling requires that you type information into the "online" program. Therefore, if you can't type, we suggest you get help from someone who can.

2 ways to do your class: After you click on the icon below, you will be asked for identifying information and then asked which of 2 ways you want to proceed. Which way you choose is entirely up to you.

Timed way: This way requires that you spend a minimum of 60 minutes completing the counseling, after which you will be required to "chat" with or talk to a phone counselor for a few minutes, mostly for the purpose of identifying yourself.

Untimed way: This way does NOT require that you spend a certain amount of time on each screen, but it does require, after you finish the counseling and before your certificate of completion can be issued, that you to call and spend approximately 10 minutes with a phone counselor.

Either way, after you finish, a certificate of completion will be sent to our office so that we can file it with the court.

Username and Password: After you click on the following icon, on the first screen that comes up, you will be asked to create a username and password.  Please write your username and password down and put it somewhere where you know you can find it. Why?  Because, if you are filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case (as opposed to Chapter 13 bankruptcy case), there is a Class 2 that you must complete, but not until after your bankruptcy case is filed.  You will need your username and password to log in for Class 2.  

Ready to proceed with your "credit counseling" class?  Just click on the following icon:

(2) The "Over-The-Phone" way:

If need be: You can complete your "credit counseling" class requirement "over-the-phone".  (This class is also offered by DECAF.)

If you are married and both you and your spouse are filing bankruptcy: We suggest that you arrange for both of you to do the credit counseling at the same time. Otherwise, your spouse would have to complete and pay for a second and separate "over-the-phone" credit counseling class.

How long will it take:  Please plan on spending at least 60 to 90 minutes on the phone.

How to get started: : (1) Just call toll free to 1-866-859-7323.  

 (2) Give the person who answers our attorney code, which is BTX92260.

 (3) Tell the person you want to take "Class 1...the BEFORE FILING class"

 (4) Then, please follow whatever instructions you are given.

Class 2: To be done AFTER filing bankruptcy

What is required: The law also requires that you submit to "debtor education" class after you file bankruptcy and before you get your bankruptcy discharge. Don't worry.  It's easy.

Cost of the class: The cost is $15 which we will collect or have collected from you and pay to them. There is nothing you have to pay to get started with the class.

When is the class available: This class is available 24/7, that is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

DEADLINE for completing your class: SUPER IMPORTANT: You must get your class done "right away" after your bankruptcy case is filed: Why?  Because the court is not allowed to grant you your all-important bankruptcy discharge until after you complete your "debtor education" class. If you filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, the deadline comes really fast. In about 90 days after you file bankruptcy, the court will "close" your case. If you have not completed your "debtor education" class (which means a certificate of completion has also been filed with the court), the court will close your case without giving you a discharge.  That is bad. Your discharge in bankruptcy is very important.  If this happens, you will have to file an application to re-open your case. This is expensive. You would have to pay a case reopening fee of at least $260, plus attorney fees, all because you didn't get your "debtor education" class done soon enough to get for your certificate of completion filed in a timely manner.  Don't let this happen.  If you are filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, the deadline is longer than 90 days, but the same problem can occur and, once again, like in a Chapter 7 case, the fix is just as expensive.  Either way, our advice is the same. Get your class done right away after your bankruptcy case is filed. Your certificate of completion must be filed  BEFORE the court "closes" your bankruptcy case.

This class is NOT a test: Again, as with the "before filing" credit counseling, this is NOT a test. Just do your best.  You cannot fail and you don’t need to prepare. You do have to sit and read (or listen, the choice is yours) to the material presented.  Along the way, you will be asked to answer some questions about your goals, what caused you to have problems, finances, etc.  YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE YOUR BANKRUPTCY CASE NUMBER. (Note: This number is listed on all documents you receive from the court.)

If you are married and both you and your spouse are filing bankruptcy: We suggest that you arrange for both of you to do the "debtor education" class at the same time. Otherwise, your spouse would have to complete and pay for a second and separate "debtor education" class. 

This class requires at least 2 hours of your time: Please plan your time accordingly.

Your certificate of completion: When you are done, a copy of your "debtor education" certificate of completion will automatically be filed with the court.

What you need to get started:  Your name, your social security number and your bankruptcy case number   (Just so you know: Your bankruptcy case number is listed on all of the documents you have received from the court.)  

Ready to get started? There are 2 ways to complete your class: (1) Online or (2) Over-The-Phone.

(1) The "Online" way (recommended):

• Do you have access to a computer (or even an ipad or similar larger-screen device) with access to the internet?  
• Are you pretty good with computers and using the internet or have someone to help you who is?  
• Can you type or do you have someone who can type for you?

If you can answer "YES" to all 3 questions: The easiest way to get your "debtor education" class done is to use the "online” program provided by a company called DECAF (the same company referred to above).   

Note: If you answer "NO" to any of these questions, please scroll down to section "(2)" for instuctions on how to complete this class "over-the-phone".

Can you type? The "online" debtor education class requires that you type information into the "online" program. Therefore, if you can't type, we suggest you get help from someone who can.

Listen or read?  With DECAF, you have the choice to read OR listen, OR read and listen, to the material presented.  If you have speakers and want to listen, make sure you turn your speakers on.

Ready to get started with your "debtor education" class?  Do you have your bankruptcy case number?  Do you also have the username and password you created when you did Class 1?  If so, just click on the following icon to get started. (If NOT, please ask our staff for help.)

(2) The "Over-The-Phone" way:

If need be: You can complete your "debtor education" class requirement "over-the-phone".  (This class is also offered by DECAF.)

If you are married and both you and your spouse are filing bankruptcy: We suggest that you arrange for both of you to do the credit counseling at the same time. Otherwise, your spouse would have to complete a second and separate "over-the-phone" credit counseling class.

How to get started: : (1) Just call toll free to 1-866-859-7323.  

 (2) Give the person who answers our attorney code, which is BTX92260.

 (3) Tell the person you want to take "Class 2...the AFTER FILING class"

 (4) Then, please follow whatever instructions you are given.