Mandatory Credit Counseling
As part of the Bankruptcy Amendments passed by Congress in 2005 stating each person wanting to file bankruptcy must complete both a prefiling bankruptcy counseling and a debtor education class.

Pre-Filing Bankruptcy Counseling
Prior to filing bankruptcy everyone must complete credit counseling with an approved debt-counseling agency. This can be done either in person, over the phone or by internet. Generally taking 1 hour to complete. this is not the same as a debt management plan, nearly the first step in filing bankruptcy.

Debtor Education

After you have filed your bankruptcy petition but before the process is complete, for you to receive a discharge you must take a debtor education course. Just as the pre-filing Bankruptcy counseling, this cane be done over the phone, or on the internet. This course cannot be taken until your case is filed and you have a case number.