Before you file for bankruptcy in Texas, you must complete credit counseling classes offered by an approved agency. Upon completing the classes, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that you must file with the bankruptcy court. The certificate must indicate that you completed the course within the 180 days immediately prior to filing your bankruptcy. After you file bankruptcy, you’ll be required to complete a second course – the debtor education course. You must complete the debtor education course in order to receive a bankruptcy discharge. But before you file for bankruptcy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, talk first with an experienced Dallas bankruptcy attorney.
You are not required to take the Texas credit counseling if you are on active military duty in a combat zone or if you are physically or mentally impaired to the extent that you cannot fulfill the requirement. If you attempt to fulfill the requirement, and if you cannot complete the counseling before you must file for bankruptcy, you may petition the court to allow you to finish the course after you file the bankruptcy. Let a Dallas bankruptcy lawyer help. Approved agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area offer credit counseling in classroom settings, online, and even over the telephone if necessary. After filing for bankruptcy but prior to your discharge, the mandatory debtor education course teaches you how to avoid a second bankruptcy, including how to create and adhere to a budget, how to use credit wisely, and how to deal with unexpected financial emergencies.
Agencies that provide the credit counseling and debtor education courses must be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. Bankruptcy is not the best option for everyone who struggles with debt, but if it’s the right option for you, a good Dallas bankruptcy lawyer can protect your rights and as much of your property as the law allows. If your debts are overwhelming, consult with an experienced Dallas bankruptcy attorney as quickly as possible.
