Preparing for your Meeting of Creditors

TELECONFERENCE / Chapter 7

What do I need to send in before the meeting?

At least two weeks before the meeting we'll need:

  • Copies of all paystubs from the date your bankrutpcy was filed until the present;

  • Copies of all checking and savings statements from the date your bankrutpcy case was filed unil the present;

  • You may get additional requests from your attorney, please start gathering these documents right away.

What should I have in front of me at the meeting?

  • Your drivers license, passport, or other official picture ID

  • Your Social Security card. If you don’t have your Social Security card, you may use a recent W2 or 1099 tax statement, as long as it has your full Social Security Number on it. If you do not have any of these, please call us as soon as possible.

How do I get on the call?

Your attorney will send you call-in information before the hearing. Please make sure you’ll be in a quiet place and can hear well.

When should I call in?

Please call in 10 minutes before the scheduled time of your hearing. It is very important that you call your bankruptcy attorney if you are running late.

How long will the meeting take?

The trustee schedules up to 10 cases an hour. Your hearing may take minutes, but plan on at least an hour and a half, as the meetings often are delayed.

How should I answer the trustee's questions?

Truthfully. If a question is unclear, your attorney or the trustee may ask further questions to clarify.

What will the trustee ask?

Here are some of the questions they may ask:

  1. Did you read your bankruptcy papers before you signed them? Is the information true and complete?

  2. Have you listed all of your assets on the schedules? Are you a co-owner of any property with anyone else? (e.g. family cabins)

  3. Do you expect to come into any money, such as an inheritance?

  4. Does anyone owe you money?

  5. Have you paid any creditors in the last 90 days, other than minimum payments?

  6. Are you a party to any lawsuits you haven’t identified in your schedules?

  7. Are you owed any domestic support? Do you owe domestic support?

  8. Have you transferred any property to anyone in the last six years? Is anyone holding property for you?

  9. Have you previously filed bankruptcy?

What are the next steps in my case?

  • The trustee may have follow-up questions or need information after your hearing. That's totally normal.

  • Once the trustee determines whether they are going to liquidate (sell) any assets in your case, they will either contact your attorney, or file a notice with the court.

  • You have 60 days after the hearing date to complete your second online credit counseling course. This is different than the one your completed before your bankruptcy filing. You can register for the course at this link.