At the Meeting of Creditors, otherwise known as the 341 meeting, the bankruptcy trustee is going to be focused on first confirming the identity of the person(s) that have filed bankruptcy. The debtor(s) will need to present their current, government issued, photo identification along with their social security card. The trustee will place the debtor(s) under oath, sometimes by having them read a prepared statement that the debtor must read out-loud. If the debtor requires the trustee will phone a translation service to assist the debtor.
The 341 meeting is not the place to wear expensive jewelry that will catch the trustee’s attention. It only raises suspicion when the debtor tries explaining that the jewelry they’re wearing really belongs to someone else. The trustee will have reviewed the documents filed by the debtor and will have conducted their own independent investigation. If the trustee learns of something that the debtor has failed to disclose it can lead to problems that may include having the case dismissed without discharge and even criminal prosecution. Be completely honest is absolutely required.
The trustee will seek to confirm that you reviewed, signed, understood and confirmed the accuracy of all of the documents filed with the court. They will ask if any corrections may need to be made. Further, the trustee will ask questions to find out whether there may be additional assets which the debtor may have inadvertently overlooked. An example would be questions to discover whether the debtor may sue anyone or whether they will soon be inheriting assets. Â
The trustee is typically not trying to embarrass, humiliate or cause the debtor any grief. In most cases the trustee will appear only interested in fulfilling their own obligations so they may move on to the next case without undue delay.
While in the majority of cases creditors don’t show up the Meeting of Creditors is also an opportunity for creditors to ask the debtor questions while under oath.
