Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure (FRBP) 1007(b)(7) permits an approved debtor education provider to notify the court directly that the debtor has completed a post-petition instructional course concerning personal financial management. This rule pertains to debtor education certificates only, not to credit counseling certificates.
Pursuant to FRBP 1007(c), the debtor must file a statement that he/she completed the personal financial management course within 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors under §341 of the Code in a chapter 7 case, and in a chapter 11 or 13 case no later than the date when the last payment was made by the debtor as required by the plan or the filing of a motion for discharge under § 1141(d)(5)(B) or § 1328(b) of the Code. Failure by the provider to timely file the certificate in accordance with FRBP 1007(c), may result in the debtor's case being closed without a discharge. See FRBP 4004(c)(1)(H).
Penalty for filing fraudulent certification: Fine of up to $500,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. 18 U.S.C. §§ 152 and 3571.
Procedures to Docket Financial Management Certificate: