Do I have to get bankruptcy counseling after a 341 meeting?

Yes. The bankruptcy laws were amended in 2005 to require filers to complete two counseling courses. Debtors must complete a credit counseling course before they may file for bankruptcy, then certify that they have completed the course when they file their bankruptcy paperwork. 

A second counseling course is required before a bankruptcy filer can get a discharge. After the meeting of creditors but before the discharge is issued, the filer must complete a debtor education class and file a form with the court. 

Debtors must take these courses from an agency that has been approved by the United States Trustee's office. You can find links to agencies that have been approved for each type of counseling in your state by selecting your state from the list under "Bankruptcy Information For Your State," on our home page. 

For more information on each of these counseling requirements, see Filing for Bankruptcy: Mandatory Counseling Requirements.