Law Offices of W. George Senft

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What is Bankruptcy Credit Counseling?

 

Is Bankruptcy Counseling Necessary?

In the state of Oregon, you’ll need to gather the pertinent documents and complete the required forms, and you’ll also need to complete two online credit counseling classes and provide proof of completion to the court. While this may seem like one more task to deal with, these classes are also beneficial, and you may gain some new financial knowledge along the way.

 

Why Do I Have to Take the Classes?

The Executive Office for the U.S. Trustees (EOUST) mandates that all bankruptcy filers must complete these credit counseling courses. These aren’t meant to be punishment, but rather to ensure that consumers understand how credit and debt work and are familiar with bankruptcy proceedings and consequences. These courses are offered online by many companies, but I’ll give you a list of reputable providers who my clients have worked with in the past. The classes are affordable and easy to follow.

 

The Details

Before filing, you’ll need to complete a 60-minute Pre-Filing Credit Counseling class. You’ll learn more about how bankruptcy works and will be given an additional opportunity to decide if bankruptcy truly is right for you. You’ll spend some time examining your budget and thinking about ways that you could reduce your expenses.

The class will also give you information about alternatives to bankruptcy, which you would be wise to consider. At the end of the course, you’ll be given a certificate of completion, which you can send to me. At this point, we can file your case and you’ll receive your case number and the date of your 341 Meeting.

After we attend this meeting together, you’ll need to complete your next online class, the Post-Filing Debtor Education. This two-hour course is primarily focused on how to rebuild your credit and get back on your feet after bankruptcy. You’ll learn some tips about wisely re-establishing your credit and improving your credit score, in addition to setting some goals for your financial future. After you’ve finished this class, you’ll receive another certificate, which I can submit for you. At this point, your case is nearly finished.

 

Start Your Future Now

It can feel like a lot of work to complete all the necessary tasks to get your bankruptcy resolved within the required time frame, but working with a professional bankruptcy attorney can give you confidence that everything will work out without any problems or delays.

I pride myself on my attention to detail and responsiveness to my clients’ inquiries and requests. When we work together, you’ll have the peace of mind that your debt will soon be behind you. Getting your bankruptcy filed and resolved takes organization and planning, but I’m here to help the process go smoothly. I’ll make sure you know what to expect next and each task that you’re responsible for.

 

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