Do I need to take a credit counseling course before filing for bankruptcy?

The answer to that question is yes. In 2005, Congress passed a law that required everybody filing for bankruptcy to obtain a credit counseling certificate before filing the credit counseling certificate, in my mind, is like a car key. You can’t move the car without putting the key in the ignition and turning the ignition. So ultimately, to start your bankruptcy, you need to get a credit counseling certificate.