Anyone who files either a Chapter 13 or a Chapter 7 bankruptcy must complete a credit counseling class within the 180 day period before the case is filed. In other words, if you took the class 181 days ago and now you want to file your case, you will need to take it gain. Your bankruptcy case cannot be filed in Georgia until you have completed this requirement.
The company that I like to send my clients to is called Hummingbird. Their website is located at www.hummingbird.org. The reason I like them is because their price is lower than many companies and their service is fantastic. Since I am registered with this company, it is easy for me to pull the certificates once the course is completed by my client.
The cost for the credit counseling class with Hummingbird is included in the amounts I charge to file Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. For more on this, please read my blog post entitled, “How Much Does It Cost To File Bankruptcy in Georgia.”
Any credit counseling course you choose to take must be approved by the United States Trustee’s Office. For a list of approved agencies, click here.
Personally, I think the credit counseling course is a complete waste of time. However, Congress says you can’t file a bankruptcy case without meeting the requirement. Therefore, we are going to do it in every single bankruptcy case we file.
The great thing about Hummingbird is that you can take both the first and the second credit counseling classes 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can take the course anywhere you have internet access. Some clients who don’t have internet at home will take the course at the local library. Others will take the class at a friend or family member’s house.
After your bankruptcy case is filed, there is a second credit counseling class that must be taken. Basically, it is a three hour video that you must watch over the internet. Since this course takes so long, we really hope you will be able to do it at home or at a friend’s house.
If you have any questions about either course, you can call Hummingbird at 1-800-645-4959.
3. How much does it cost to file?