The Meeting of Creditors is a meeting between you and your bankruptcy trustee. Creditors rarely attend. The Trustee is assigned when we file your bankruptcy case. The Trustee will have reviewed your bankruptcy petition prior to the meeting and will have a list of questions for you to answer. These questions are not meant to trick or scare you. The Trustee is simply trying to clarify your financial affairs. The meeting is very informal and all you need to do is be truthful about your situation. At the beginning of the meeting, the Trustee will verify your social security number and your government-issued ID (usually a driver’s license). Your must have both of these documents with you when you come to the meeting. If for any reason you do not have one or the other of these items, the Trustee may reschedule the meeting of creditors, and you will have to attend the meeting on a another day.
Here are some sample questions similar to what is asked at the 341 Meeting of Creditors:
1. Please state your name, address.
2. Did you assist your attorney’s office in preparing your bankruptcy petition, schedules and statement of financial affairs?
3. Did you have an opportunity to review those materials and make yourself personally familiar with them?
4. Did you sign those materials and are the signatures your own?
5. Was the information contained in those materials true and accurate to the best of your knowledge?
6. Are there any errors or omissions that we should bring to the trustee’s attention at this time?
7. Are all of your assets and debts listed on the bankruptcy schedules?
8. Have you lived in Colorado for the better part of the six months prior to the filing of your bankruptcy petition?
9. Other than this case, have you ever filed for bankruptcy before? If so, when?
10. To the best of your knowledge, are you a beneficiary under anybody’s will, trust, or other estate-planning device?
11. Have you ever disclaimed an inheritance or other interest under anybody’s will, trust, or other estate-planning device?
12. Do you own your home or do you rent?
In a Chapter 13 case, you may also be asked:
1. Are you current on your mortgage?
2. Are you current on any other debts that are being paid outside of the plan?
3. Are you current on your state and federal income-tax return filings?
4. Are you self-employed or do you work for others?
5. Have you made your first plan payment?