By Cara O'Neill, Esq.
When you file bankruptcy, you are required to make one bankruptcy court appearance at what is called the §341 Meeting of Creditors. The Meeting of Creditors is conducted by the bankruptcy trustee who is appointed to review your petition for accuracy and to determine whether your estate possesses assets that can be liquidated and distributed to your creditors.
When You Arrive
When you first arrive, check the docket sheet posted outside of the courtroom to make sure you are in the right place and to find out what number you are on the schedule so that you will know when you can expect to be called. Inside, look for the green information sheet that you are required to read before your meeting. If you have domestic support obligations, locate and complete the gold form as well.
Once seated, you will notice that you are not the only person attending the meeting. This is good, however, because as long as you aren’t first, you will be able to observe the process before it is your turn. Take out your identification card and social security card so that you have it ready.
Acceptable forms of identification are as follows:
Acceptable forms of your social security number are originals of the following:
When You are Called
Take your place by the trustee and provide your identification. Once the trustee verifies you are the bankruptcy petitioner, the trustee will do the following:
Usually, creditors do not attend the meeting, but if one does, the creditor will have an opportunity to ask you about your debt and your intentions. You should respond in a direct and straightforward manner.
If you have provided the trustee with all of the necessary documents, i.e., two years of tax returns and six months of paycheck stubs or unemployment insurance stubs, then the trustee will conclude the meeting. Afterwards, remember to provide the court with your second credit counseling certificate. Once you do that, all that’s left to do is sit back and wait for your discharge.
Tags: Meeting of Creditors, bankruptcy trustee, bankruptcy
When You Arrive
When you first arrive, check the docket sheet posted outside of the courtroom to make sure you are in the right place and to find out what number you are on the schedule so that you will know when you can expect to be called. Inside, look for the green information sheet that you are required to read before your meeting. If you have domestic support obligations, locate and complete the gold form as well.
Once seated, you will notice that you are not the only person attending the meeting. This is good, however, because as long as you aren’t first, you will be able to observe the process before it is your turn. Take out your identification card and social security card so that you have it ready.
Acceptable forms of identification are as follows:
- Driver’s License
- Government, state, student or military ID
- United States passport
Acceptable forms of your social security number are originals of the following:
- Social security card
- Proof of social security number from the Social Security Administration
When You are Called
Take your place by the trustee and provide your identification. Once the trustee verifies you are the bankruptcy petitioner, the trustee will do the following:
- Place you under oath
- Ask whether anything in your petition has changed
- Ask questions about the information in your schedules
- Ask whether any of your creditors are present
Usually, creditors do not attend the meeting, but if one does, the creditor will have an opportunity to ask you about your debt and your intentions. You should respond in a direct and straightforward manner.
If you have provided the trustee with all of the necessary documents, i.e., two years of tax returns and six months of paycheck stubs or unemployment insurance stubs, then the trustee will conclude the meeting. Afterwards, remember to provide the court with your second credit counseling certificate. Once you do that, all that’s left to do is sit back and wait for your discharge.
Tags: Meeting of Creditors, bankruptcy trustee, bankruptcy