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Do I Need Counseling Before Filing Bankruptcy, and Where Do I Get the Certificate?

Yes. Federal bankruptcy law requires two separate steps: a pre-filing credit counseling course and a post-filing debtor education course. Both are needed to get the certificates required to file and complete a bankruptcy petition. Cambridge Credit Counseling is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide both courses online.

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Approval by the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office of United States Trustees does not endorse or assure the quality of our services.

The BAPCPA Rule Requires Two Courses#

Under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must, with limited exceptions, receive credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before filing. They must also complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged.

Pre-Filing Credit Counseling Comes First#

Before you file your bankruptcy petition, you need to complete a pre-filing credit counseling course. Cambridge Credit Counseling is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to administer this course, and it is available online.

Post-Filing Debtor Education Comes After You File#

After you file for bankruptcy, you must complete a second course, called debtor education, before your debts can be discharged. Consumers filing bankruptcy must complete both the pre-filing and post-filing courses to receive the certificate needed to file and complete a bankruptcy petition. Cambridge Credit Counseling offers this course online as well.

How Long Your Certificate Stays Valid#

A certificate of completion for Cambridge Credit Counseling’s pre-filing bankruptcy credit counseling is valid for up to 180 days after the date the counseling was completed. Cambridge Credit Counseling provides a copy of the completion certificate within one business day after a student completes one of its bankruptcy courses.

What the Courses Cost, and How Fees Can Be Waived#

Cambridge Credit Counseling charges $50.00 per household per session for its Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling course and $50.00 per household per session for its Post-Filing Debtor Education course, and both are available free or at a reduced rate based on ability to pay. The fee is per household, not per person, so a married couple filing together pays once. Households with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size are presumed eligible for a fee waiver. Households above that line may still qualify for a reduced fee if they can show a temporary financial hardship, such as a recent job loss or drop in income, unexpected medical costs, disability, separation or divorce, the death of a household wage earner, or another documented financial circumstance that significantly impacts the household’s ability to pay. Waivers and reductions are assessed on the household’s current income, expenses and overall financial condition, and Cambridge Credit Counseling will not refuse services to anyone due to inability to pay.

Cambridge Credit Counseling Is Approved to Provide Both Courses#

Cambridge Credit Counseling is approved by the Department of Justice to provide pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and post-filing debtor education. Cambridge Credit Counseling does not report participation in these courses and does not pull the consumer’s credit report to provide them, so taking these courses has no effect on the consumer’s credit rating.

What to Do Next#

  • Credit counseling from Cambridge Credit Counseling is a free service for consumers who want to understand their options.
  • You can ask about the pre-filing and post-filing bankruptcy courses during that session.
  • There is never any obligation to enroll in a Debt Management Plan after a credit counseling session with us.

Common questions

Do I have to pay for the bankruptcy courses?

Cambridge Credit Counseling charges $50.00 per household per session for the Pre-Bankruptcy Credit Counseling course and $50.00 per household per session for the Post-Filing Debtor Education course, and both are available free or at a reduced rate based on ability to pay. The fee is per household, not per person, so a married couple filing together pays once. Households with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for their household size are presumed eligible for a fee waiver. Households above that line may still qualify for a reduced fee if they can show a temporary financial hardship, such as a recent job loss or drop in income, unexpected medical costs, disability, separation or divorce, the death of a household wage earner, or another documented financial circumstance that significantly impacts the household's ability to pay. Waivers and reductions are assessed on the household's current income, expenses and overall financial condition, and Cambridge Credit Counseling will not refuse services to anyone due to inability to pay.

How soon will I get my certificate after finishing a course?

Cambridge Credit Counseling provides a copy of the completion certificate within one business day after a student completes one of its bankruptcy courses.

How long is my pre-filing certificate good for?

A certificate of completion for Cambridge Credit Counseling's pre-filing bankruptcy credit counseling is valid for up to 180 days after the date the counseling was completed.

Will taking these courses affect my credit score?

No. Cambridge Credit Counseling does not report participation in its bankruptcy counseling or debtor education courses and does not pull your credit report to provide these services, so they have no effect on your credit rating.

Is regular credit counseling with Cambridge Credit Counseling also free?

Yes. Credit counseling from Cambridge Credit Counseling is a free service for consumers who are looking for ways out of debt, and there is never any obligation to enroll in a Debt Management Plan afterward.

Where this information comes from