In Oregon, if you file for either chapter 13 or chapter 7 bankruptcy, you are required to first undergo credit counseling with an approved provider, after which you must take a debtor education course. The classes have individual purposes, both of which are aimed at helping you make proper financial choices.
According to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, when you file your initial petition for bankruptcy, in most cases, you must file your certificate of completion showing that you attended and passed a certified credit counseling course. This course is designed to help you determine whether bankruptcy really is the best choice for your situation. Once you have filed both your petition and certificate, your bankruptcy case can commence.
At the conclusion of your bankruptcy, you will also be required to undergo a debtor education course. This course is designed to help you overcome the issues that caused your financial hardship in the first place and make better choices to avoid bankruptcy in the future. Only after your certificate of completion is filed will your debts be discharged or reorganized.
A list of approved agencies is available on the U.S. Department of Justice website, so you can easily find the courses that fits your needs. If you are unable to pay for these courses, you may be able to seek some assistance, depending on your income and eligibility. The DOJ states that if you make less than 150 percent of the poverty line, you may be entitled to a reduction or complete waiver of your fees. This information is meant to be purely educational and should not be taken as legal advice.
