Most debtors remember that a credit counseling course is required before filing bankruptcy; but many forget or don’t realize that they must also take a personal financial management course within 45 days after filing bankruptcy. Whether you’re filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy , all debtors are required to take this course. If a debtor fails to take the personal financial management course after filing bankruptcy their bankruptcy case could be closed.
If you forget to take your personal financial management course after filing bankruptcy, contact your bankruptcy attorney immediately. He/she will let you know if the bankruptcy case has been closed due to your failure to take the course. If the bankruptcy case has been closed, ask your bankruptcy attorney about having the case reopened.
Usually it will cost approximately $200 to reopen a closed bankruptcy case AND you need to have already taken the course and have a certificate ready to be filed with the bankruptcy court. If you get lucky and find that your bankruptcy case has not been closed despite your failure to take the personal financial management course, please take the course immediately and have your bankruptcy attorney file your certificate with the court.