CHECKLIST FOR § 341(a) MEETING OF CREDITORS
You recently filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and received notice of the date of your 341(a) Meeting of Creditors (341(a) meeting). Following is a list of your nine obligations for the 341(a) meeting:
1.
Arrive Early: Prepare to arrive at least 30 minutes before your
scheduled appointment. You will not be the only person on the Trustee's
calendar and timely arrival will help minimize the time you must spend during
this phase of your bankruptcy. If you are late, the wait before you see the
Trustee could be lengthy. It is also possible that your 341(a) meeting will be
continued to another day or that your case will be dismissed.
2.
Plan Payments: A plan payment is the amount in your plan which you
propose to pay each month to the Chapter 13 Trustee. You first plan payment
comes due 30 days from the date you filed your bankruptcy petition. Plan
payments must be made by cashier's check, certified check or money order
only. No cash or personal checks will be accepted. Payments must be made out to
"Chapter 13 Trustee". Your case number and name must be
printed on each cashier's check, certified check or money order. Your
case will be dismissed if you do not make all plan payments.
3.
Mortgage Payments: All mortgage payments which come due after you
file your petition and before the 341(a) meeting must be current and proof
brought to the 341(a) meeting.
4.
Proof of Income: Make sure that evidence of current income, i.e.
legible copies of two of your most recent pay stubs, a business report (if
self-employed), or equivalent documentation is received by the Trustee at the
341(a) meeting. Be sure that your stubs or other proof is in fact
representative of your income, e.g. if you do not usually work 40 hours a week,
do not provide a stub for a pay period which is based on 40 hours. Be prepared
to explain all payroll deductions. Any debtor who is self employed must submit
to the Chapter 13 Trustee a Business Report. This form may be downloaded from
our web site. The completed report must be received by the Trustee at the
341(a) meeting.
5.
Petition, Plan, Schedules, Proof of Service: You should have filed
each of these documents with the Clerk of Court. Bring a complete set of
documents with you to the 341(a) meeting.
6.
Your Spouse: Both husband and wife must be present when there is a
joint filing. Please make separate arrangements for your children. There are no
accommodations for children at the 341(a) meeting. Your case may be
dismissed if both debtors do not appear at the 341(a) Meeting.
7.
Proof of Service: Make sure that each of your creditors was sent a
copy of your plan, that a proof of service form has been filed with the Court,
and that the Trustee has received a copy of your proof of service at least 10
days prior to the 341(a) meeting. Your case may be dismissed if the
Trustee does not receive the proof of service timely.
8.
Bring a pen: Be prepared to take notes at the 341(a) meeting.
9.
If you need the assistance of a translator: It is your
responsibility to bring an individual qualified to provide translation
services. If you need assistance with translation services, you may contact the
office of the Bankruptcy Administrator.