Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §1328(g) - a provision new to the Bankruptcy Code by virtue of changes effected by BAPCPA - most Chapter 13 debtors whose cases were commenced after October 17, 2005, will not be eligible for a discharge until they have completed a post-petition "instructional course concerning personal financial management."

11 U.S.C. §111 speaks generally about the content of such a course, and it assigns to the United States Trustee the responsibility for approving and evaluating providers.

The Executive Office of the United States Trustee maintains a current list of all approved providers of these personal financial management courses at its website:  http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/de_approved.htm#AR
 

Debtor's and debtor's counsel will note that one of the approved providers is:

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
2301 South University Drive
Little Rock, AR 72204

501-671-2170

www.uaex.edu

The Extension Service is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture, and it has a long history of involvement in the development, production and implementation of a wide range of educational programs.  These programs are coordinated and conducted by experienced and highly-trained instructional personnel; they rely upon excellent and professional course materials; they are available in locations throughout the state; and they can be made available to debtors faced with a variety of time constraints (including night and weekend options).  The course is offered at no cost to the debtor.

Debtors, or debtor's counsel, who may be interested in using the Extension Service as the means for satisfying this new discharge prerequisite are urged to contact Laura Connerly at 501-671-2170.  Or, you may simply call the office of your appropriate County Agent for further information or for scheduling the course.