Can I Use My Certificate of Counseling to Stop My Hearing?

Is my Certificate of Counseling before I file my actual petition for bankruptcy something I can use to STOP MY HEARING?

I am scheduled to have a hearing tomorrow as a defendant in a civil action In my case, the plaintiffs seek money to collect a debt and obtain a judgment. Is the certificate able to prevent the hearing or do I need to file the petition to do this?

Answer:

In order to qualify as a debtor in bankruptcy you must take a credit counseling class and file a credit counseling certificate with the court at the beginning of the case. This requirement has no bearing on your relationship with your creditors and the fact that you took the class will not stop any legal action against you. The filing of the bankruptcy stops all legal action against you and your property due to the automatic stay. In order to be eligible to file bankruptcy you must first take the credit counseling class and file the credit counseling certificate. You must also take a 2nd class called debtor education (or financial management) before you are eligible for a discharge (which is a permanent injunction to paying back a debt)