The Bankruptcy Code requires that you personally attend a meeting of creditors (sometimes also called “341 meeting” or “creditors’ meeting”) and answer questions under oath.  Meetings of creditors usually are conducted between 21 and 60 days after the petition is filed and are held at a number of locations throughout the state.  The case trustee appointed by the United States Trustee presides at the meeting of creditors.  The meeting is recorded, and the trustee will place you under oath and ask you questions about your bankruptcy documents, property, debts, financial condition and other matters. This information enables the trustee to understand your circumstances and decide if there are assets that could be liquidated for the benefit of your creditors.

Your creditors are notified that they may attend the meeting of creditors and question you about your assets and any other matter relevant to the administration of the case. However, creditors rarely attend these meetings and are not considered to have waived any of their rights if they do not appear.

The meeting usually lasts less than ten minutes but may be continued if the trustee is not satisfied with the information you provide or if the trustee or others need more time to review your financial circumstances and question you about them.  If you fail to appear or fail to provide the information requested at the meeting, the trustee may request that the bankruptcy case be dismissed or that you be ordered by the court to cooperate.