What to Expect at the 341 Hearing for Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy court hearing document.

Preparing for the Meeting of Creditors (341 Hearing)

Generally about four to six weeks after filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’ll be required to attend a mandatory hearing about your case. Called the 341 hearing or “meeting of creditors,” the meeting will be attended by your attorney (presumably me), you (and your spouse if applicable), and a trustee.

In Central Ohio, the 341 meeting takes place via Zoom from my Pickerington office.

What is the Purpose of the Chapter 7 Meeting of Creditors?

The purpose of the meeting of creditors (or 341 hearing), is to allow the bankruptcy trustee to review and confirm the information presented in your filed bankruptcy paperwork. You’ll be better prepared (and less nervous) if you know what to expect in the meeting.

The trustee will review the information in your paperwork and ask a number of questions, most of which your attorney has asked you before. If the trustee is satisfied with your answers, and there are no outstanding questions or assets to administer, the case will proceed to discharge.

Who Attends the Chapter 7 Meeting of Creditors?

The Meeting of Creditors is conducted by a trustee and will be attended by:

  • You, and your spouse (if applicable)
  • Your attorney will represent you at the meeting
  • Creditors are invited and allowed to attend, but it’s rare for a creditor to appear

While the hearing is fairly informal, and you don’t need to dress up, the trustee is an officer of the court and so you should try to dress appropriately.

The Debtor is Questioned Under Oath by the Trustee

The trustee’s job is to verify the information in your bankruptcy petition and clarify any questions, and determine whether there are any assets that are not exempt that the trustee can sell and administer the proceeds to your unsecured creditors. The trustee makes an audio recording for the record, so you must answer any questions with a spoken answer, “yes” or “no,” loud enough for the recorder to pick up your voice. Keep your answers brief and to the point, and only provide additional information if the trustee asks you to clarify or explain.

After the trustee reviews your information and is satisfied with the information presented, and that there are no assets to administer, he or she will conclude the hearing and file a “no asset” report. If the trustee believes that there may be assets, he or she will file an initial report that there may be funds available to unsecured creditors.