Less then a year to go...What's next?

[bam531]

We are in our last year of our 13. We should be done by Oct 2012, however the trustee (at our last meeting) told us we would probably finish a few months early. I have read somewhere on here about people having to take another type of means test when they get near the end. When does this usually happen? Will our attorney let us know in advance of this? My husband travels alot for his job, so we need to make sure he is home when this test happens. I will be so glad when this is over!! It has been a long hard 4 years and at times we have wondered if we made the right decision on filing a 13. But in the end (so far) it has helped us.. Thanks !!

[lrprn]

We are in our last year of our 13. We should be done by Oct 2012, however the trustee (at our last meeting) told us we would probably finish a few months early.

Congrats! Four out of five years completed successfully - that's a great achievement!!

I have read somewhere on here about people having to take another type of means test when they get near the end. When does this usually happen? Will our attorney let us know in advance of this?

There is no "other type of means test", but there is a second required debtor education class that must be completed successfully by the two of you, the certificate sent to your lawyer, and then your lawyer sends it on to your trustee before your last payment is made. Most folks go back to the same agency they used to take the mandatory credit counseling course before filing. A few are lucky and their lawyer provides both courses as a part of their retainer fee.

Here's the link to each of the agencies that provide debtor education courses approved by your state and judicial district - http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa...e_approved.htm . You must take and pass an approved course for your state/judicial district or your case can't be discharged. Completing a course not approved by your state/judicial district means you won't get credit for the course and that could be a disaster.

Please don't wait to take the debtor education course until the last minute. Some agencies take weeks to send your successfully completed course certificate to your lawyer and then your lawyer has to send the certificate to your trustee as well.

My husband travels alot for his job, so we need to make sure he is home when this test happens.

Since you control when you take the course, you can schedule to do it when your husband is home. If you do your debtor education course online, then you can do it almost anytime. The course typically takes a few hours at most from start to finish - ours was mostly just showing we had a budget put together and answering some questions. Some agencies require a phone call afterwards but it's really just routine. Nothing to worry about.

Ask your lawyer which approved debtor education course agency he/she recommends if you aren't sure which agency to use to complete this last hoop required by the bk law to jump before you can be discharged.

I will be so glad when this is over!! It has been a long hard 4 years and at times we have wondered if we made the right decision on filing a 13. But in the end (so far) it has helped us.. Thanks !!

Great to know you are feeling positive with one year to go and that your 13 has helped! Many of us 13ers here feel that Ch 13 was really a blessing in disguise - very tough but worth it. Here's hoping your last year goes quickly and uneventfully!

[bam531]

Thank you for the info... trying now to get on our trustees website to see where we stand ( haven't checked it in about 3 months) and of course the website is down..figures..LOL...

[CCB35]

I used to check mine everyday lol I dont know how to act now that i am discharged

[ram180]

just hang in there and stay the course. my case was closed on 11/4/11 but still waiting on my discharge papers. i couldnt wait to get into my last year and it was a long five years in the making but that last year actually went by prett quick for me. it gets hard at time but hang tough you are almost home.