Approved bankruptcy education
Bankruptcy Counseling and Debtor Education
Most individual bankruptcy filers must complete one approved course before filing and a separate course after filing. Money Fit provides both online courses through Debt Reduction Services, Inc., with a certificate issued after the course requirements are met.
Choose the course that matches where you are in the process
The two courses are separate and cannot be completed at the same time. Start with whether your bankruptcy case has already been filed.
Pre-Filing Credit Counseling
This is generally the first required course. It reviews your financial situation, budget, and possible alternatives before you submit a bankruptcy petition.
- Complete within the 180 days before filing
- $50 per case
- Certificate generally issued within one business day after completion
Post-Filing Debtor Education
This is the second required course. It focuses on personal financial management and is generally required before an eligible filer can receive a discharge.
- Complete after the bankruptcy case is filed
- $50 per case
- Certificate generally issued within three business days after completion
Not sure which course you need? Review your court documents or confirm with your bankruptcy attorney before enrolling. Money Fit cannot determine your legal filing stage or court deadline.
What are the two required bankruptcy courses?
Pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education serve different purposes. Credit counseling comes before filing and reviews your financial situation and possible alternatives. Debtor education comes after filing and teaches personal financial management skills. Most individual filers must complete both, subject to limited exceptions under federal law.
Only an agency or provider approved for the applicable judicial district can issue the required certificate. Debt Reduction Services, Inc., the nonprofit organization that provides Money Fit services, appears on the U.S. Trustee Program's approved provider lists in participating districts.
How the online course process works
Each course has its own registration and completion requirements. Choose the correct course before entering your information.
Register for the right course
Select pre-filing if your petition has not been filed. Select post-filing if your case has already been filed.
Complete the online requirements
Work through the required material and complete any required counselor interaction or identity verification.
Receive your certificate
After all requirements are met, the certificate is issued under the approved provider name, Debt Reduction Services, Inc.
What to have ready
Having the correct information available can help you register accurately and avoid delays.
For pre-filing credit counseling
Be prepared to provide household income, regular expenses, debts, and other financial information used to review your situation and possible alternatives.
For post-filing debtor education
Have your bankruptcy case number and filing details available. The post-filing registration page requires the case number before you begin.
For a joint case
Joint filers may complete a session together, but each person must participate as required and receive a separate certificate.
For a court deadline
Keep the deadline from your court documents or attorney in view. Course access does not extend or change a filing deadline.
Complete each course at the correct stage
Federal rules place the courses on opposite sides of the filing date. Limited exceptions may apply, but those are legal and court questions that Money Fit cannot decide for you.
- Before filing: Pre-filing credit counseling generally must be completed during the 180-day period before the bankruptcy petition is filed. Filing first may put the case at risk of dismissal.
- After filing: Debtor education is a separate course completed after filing. A required filer who does not complete it and file the necessary certification may not receive a discharge.
- Certificate responsibility: Confirm that the correct certificate reaches the court or your attorney as required. Course completion alone does not replace your responsibility to meet court requirements.
For federal information, review the U.S. Trustee Program's credit counseling and debtor education guidance.
What this service does and does not provide
These courses provide required bankruptcy education and completion certificates. They do not replace legal advice or court instructions.
Education, not legal advice
Money Fit does not advise whether to file bankruptcy, which chapter to use, how to complete court forms, or how bankruptcy law applies to your situation.
No court representation
Money Fit does not represent filers, submit legal arguments, appear in court, or communicate with the court as your attorney.
No guarantee of discharge
Completing a course is one requirement. It does not guarantee that a petition will be accepted, a case will remain open, or debts will be discharged.
District approval matters
Provider approval is tied to judicial districts. Alabama and North Carolina use Bankruptcy Administrators rather than the U.S. Trustee Program, so filers there should confirm the approved-provider requirements for their district.
Frequently asked questions
Which bankruptcy course do I need?
If your bankruptcy petition has not been filed, you generally need pre-filing credit counseling. If your case has already been filed, you generally need post-filing debtor education. Review your court documents or confirm with your attorney before enrolling.
When must pre-filing credit counseling be completed?
Most individual filers must complete approved credit counseling during the 180-day period before filing a bankruptcy petition. Limited exceptions may apply under federal law, so ask a qualified bankruptcy attorney about legal questions or unusual circumstances.
When must post-filing debtor education be completed?
Debtor education must be completed after the bankruptcy case is filed and by the deadline that applies to the case. Deadlines can depend on the bankruptcy chapter and court requirements. Review your court documents or ask your attorney for the date that applies to you.
How much does each Money Fit bankruptcy course cost?
Each course is $50 per case. The pre-filing and post-filing courses are separate, so a filer who needs both completes and pays for each course at the appropriate stage.
Can joint filers take the course together?
Joint filers may participate in the same counseling or education session, but each person must meet the participation requirements and receive a separate certificate.
When will I receive my bankruptcy certificate?
After all requirements are met, the pre-filing certificate is generally issued within one business day and the post-filing certificate is generally issued within three business days. Allow enough time before any court deadline and follow up if the certificate does not arrive as expected.
Does Money Fit provide bankruptcy legal advice?
No. Money Fit provides approved bankruptcy education through Debt Reduction Services, Inc. It does not advise whether to file, choose a bankruptcy chapter, prepare legal documents, represent filers, or interpret court requirements.
