The Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Rules
Since 2005, every individual filer must complete two short courses: a credit counseling briefing before filing, and a debtor education course after. They're inexpensive, done online or by phone in about an hour each — but missing either one has outsized consequences.
The pre-filing briefing
Within 180 days before filing, you must complete a briefing from a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Trustee and file the certificate with the petition. Filing without it can get the case dismissed outright, no matter how urgent the foreclosure or garnishment.
The post-filing debtor education course
After filing, a separate financial management course is required — in Chapter 7 within 60 days after the first 341 meeting date. Skip it and the court closes the case without a discharge, leaving every debt intact after all the work of filing.
Exceptions are narrow
Waivers exist for incapacity, disability, and active combat duty, and emergency filers can sometimes complete the briefing within days after filing upon a showing of exigent circumstances — but courts apply these exceptions strictly.
Exemption amounts and rule thresholds change on statutory schedules. See our monthly rule reports for the current figures with citations to the official sources.
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Majors Law Group, P.C. — an independent bankruptcy firm running its practice on Bankruptcy.AI — handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in Arizona and Washington.
Bankruptcy.AI is a technology platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Majors Law Group, P.C. is a separate, independent law firm. This page is general information and is not legal advice; outcomes depend on your specific facts.