
You must now complete an instructional course in personal financial management from an approved agency prior to receiving a discharge, with limited exceptions.
In a chapter 13 case, if you owe a domestic support obligation, you must also certify to the court you have paid all amounts due.
At the conclusion of an individual’s bankruptcy case, the court enters an order closing the case, and a copy of this order is sent to you. Unless the trustee has assets to distribute to creditors, case closing takes place fairly quickly in chapter 7 cases. In a chapter 13, the court will not close the case until after you finish making payments under the plan or the court dismisses the case. A court will dismiss your case if you do not make payments to the trustee on time. If this happens, you will not receive a discharge unless the court grants your special request for a “hardship” discharge.