With limited exceptions, people who plan to file for bankruptcy protection must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before they file. They also must complete a debtor education course to have their debts discharged. The Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program approves organizations to provide the mandatory credit counseling and debtor education.
As a rule, pre-bankruptcy credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education may not be provided at the same time. Credit counseling must take place before bankruptcy; debtor education must take place after.