When you file for bankruptcy, you usually won’t have to appear before a judge in a courtroom. Instead, you’ll attend a 341 hearing, also known as the meeting of creditors, which is a brief hearing required by federal bankruptcy law. This meeting is not held in a courtroom, and no judge is present. Instead, this hearing usually takes place via Zoom or conference call, depending on the trustee administering your case.
There are some additional documents required for this hearing to ensure everything goes smoothly. Typically, a trustee will request 90 days of bank statements, vehicle titles, most recent paystubs, and other documentation to confirm that everything in your case is true and correct. As long as all requested documentation is received within 7 business days prior to your hearing, your hearing should be pretty straightforward.
At the 341 meeting, a bankruptcy trustee (not a judge) will ask you basic questions about your finances, assets, debts, and recent financial activity. One of our attorneys will be present with you in the hearing. The questions vary by the case, but for the most part, the hearing is very straightforward. The hearing usually lasts about 5-10 minutes. Creditors are allowed to attend and ask questions, but in most cases, they don't show up.
That’s the only hearing most debtors ever attend. In chapter 13 cases, there is usually a confirmation hearing scheduled after the 341, but most of the time, debtors do not need to attend these meetings. Whenever you are ready to move forward from financial anxiety, please reach out to Minnesota’s kindest and most helpful bankruptcy law firm at www.lifebacklaw.com. You will be so happy you did.