Why Do You Have to Get Credit Counseling for a Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13?

Author: Jim Brown

In order to be eligible to file a Missouri or Illinois Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you have to take a credit counseling course over the internet or on the phone. The credit counseling is a simple process, involving an informative discussion on bankruptcy and its alternatives. The agency that performs the counseling is a neutral third party and must be approved by the bankruptcy court.

So, why do you have to take the course? Isn't it pretty clear whether Chapter 13 is right for you by the time you are ready to file your case? Of course, but it is still nice to have information from a neutral party. You can then be confident that you made a positive and informed decision before your St. Louis, Missouri bankruptcy attorney files your case.

There is a second session that you must also take after you file your case called a "debtor education" course. The course is designed to teach you some tips and tricks to help you avoid another bankruptcy in the future. What a relief to have so many people looking out for your best interests!

Plus, by picking a really great St Louis Missouri or Fairview Heights Illinois bankruptcy attorney, you can rest assured that he or she will also want to help you understand the process and what your behavior should be afterwards. How? They can provide you with free information--like articles, blogs, and even publications--about life after bankruptcy!

Make sure you also have a bankruptcy attorney in St. Louis who knows how important it is to complete your credit counseling course. Not only does it give you great information but your attorney also can't file your case without you having completed the first session. And if you don't complete the debtor education course after your case has been filed, your case can be dismissed without a discharge.

That means after all that work, time, and money that you put into your bankruptcy, you could still be without protection from foreclosure, credit card debt help, or relief from your creditors.

Clearly, there are a lot of bumps you can hit on the road to Chapter 13 bankruptcy if you aren't careful. While none of them are too complicated, if you miss just one, it could cost you your case. Now, i'm sure you can see how vital it is to have an experienced St Louis or Wentzville, Missouri bankruptcy attorney as opposed to one with limited experience filing cases!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/why-do-you-have-to-get-credit-counseling-for-a-missouri-or-illinois-chapter-13-2218548.html

About the Author
Missouri Bankruptcy attorney James Brown has been working to relieve the debt of hard-working American families for over 15 years. He has dedicated his career to educating consumers about options for debt relief and has released 5 publications, including, "Get Out of Debt: Secrets Your Creditors Don't Want You to Know." You can request a free copy at http://www.castlelaw.net