Had my 341 this morning. I was scheduled for 1pm - after the lunch break. I am waiting out in the hall for them to open up the room and begin calling cases when the Trustee comes out and calls my name - it was about 10 min before 1. I go into the room and he said that we could go ahead and begin and that the judge was going to video conference in to ask me some question. No one else was in the room and the judge was on the video screen and I sat at a table with the Trustee.
I had used a preparer to help me with my forms that is actually an attorney in the western part of my state. The attorney even notated on the petition she had given legal advice and helped with forms for the charge of $200. I was referred to her by a credit counselor who was working to help find me an affordable preparer, the credit counselor asked me if I know any bankruptcy attorneys in my area and I gave them the name of the Attorney I knew in the western district and this preparer just happened to work in that office as a new partner. The lady that prepared my forms spoke to me 3 or 4 times on the phone and a couple of times through email answering questions for me and helping me to get all the forms accurate. I was actually pleased with her help.
The judge begins to ask me how I know the attorney, why she isn't in court with me and what level of help she had given me. I answered with basically the information in the above paragraph. The judge then tells me the attorney made a mistake helping me out like this and I will see a motion come out of her court reguarding this attorney. She said this attorney has no right or ability to practice law in her court and unless she wants to be accepted and sign off on this paperwork she can't do this type of help. The judge seemed very angry. She then looked over my petition and said that I dad substancial income but also substancial unsecured debt. She then asked me how long I had been at current job. Judge then ask me what I will do if any advesary proceedings occur or if issues come up with my case - I tell her I guess I will seek LOCAL council. She said She didn't have any other questions and that I may be called to testify reguarding the attorney who prepared my documents. She then told the trustee he could continue and the video conference ended.
The trustee didn't seem bothered by all this so I said gosh was the judge mad at me, this wan't what I had expected. He said the judge is mad at the attorney and the it wasn't anything personal directed at me. I have to admit by now I am a little startled and worried about everything. The trustee then begins to ask me questions related to my petition such as if I plan to keep my home and my car. He then ask me how long I had ben divorced and if I pay child support which I answered yes and stated it was listed on the petition - he gave me a form to fill out with the ex-wifes name address and phone number on it and the amount I pay. The trustee then comments that I have substancial income and that I also have a substancial unsecured amount od debt. He then asked if I was aware that my student loans are not dischargable. He then asked if i was expecting an income tax refund. Then the last question from him was what got me to this place and if I was still using credit. He then told me I was finished and that I could fill out the child support form while he called in all the other cases. I filled out the form and gave it back to him as the room was filling up with other 341 cases.
I really don't know what to think of all this and what to expect. I guess the good thing is none of my creditors came in - if their was a good thing that happened today. Does anyone have any insight? I really am worried now?
I had used a preparer to help me with my forms that is actually an attorney in the western part of my state. The attorney even notated on the petition she had given legal advice and helped with forms for the charge of $200. I was referred to her by a credit counselor who was working to help find me an affordable preparer, the credit counselor asked me if I know any bankruptcy attorneys in my area and I gave them the name of the Attorney I knew in the western district and this preparer just happened to work in that office as a new partner. The lady that prepared my forms spoke to me 3 or 4 times on the phone and a couple of times through email answering questions for me and helping me to get all the forms accurate. I was actually pleased with her help.
The judge begins to ask me how I know the attorney, why she isn't in court with me and what level of help she had given me. I answered with basically the information in the above paragraph. The judge then tells me the attorney made a mistake helping me out like this and I will see a motion come out of her court reguarding this attorney. She said this attorney has no right or ability to practice law in her court and unless she wants to be accepted and sign off on this paperwork she can't do this type of help. The judge seemed very angry. She then looked over my petition and said that I dad substancial income but also substancial unsecured debt. She then asked me how long I had been at current job. Judge then ask me what I will do if any advesary proceedings occur or if issues come up with my case - I tell her I guess I will seek LOCAL council. She said She didn't have any other questions and that I may be called to testify reguarding the attorney who prepared my documents. She then told the trustee he could continue and the video conference ended.
The trustee didn't seem bothered by all this so I said gosh was the judge mad at me, this wan't what I had expected. He said the judge is mad at the attorney and the it wasn't anything personal directed at me. I have to admit by now I am a little startled and worried about everything. The trustee then begins to ask me questions related to my petition such as if I plan to keep my home and my car. He then ask me how long I had ben divorced and if I pay child support which I answered yes and stated it was listed on the petition - he gave me a form to fill out with the ex-wifes name address and phone number on it and the amount I pay. The trustee then comments that I have substancial income and that I also have a substancial unsecured amount od debt. He then asked if I was aware that my student loans are not dischargable. He then asked if i was expecting an income tax refund. Then the last question from him was what got me to this place and if I was still using credit. He then told me I was finished and that I could fill out the child support form while he called in all the other cases. I filled out the form and gave it back to him as the room was filling up with other 341 cases.
I really don't know what to think of all this and what to expect. I guess the good thing is none of my creditors came in - if their was a good thing that happened today. Does anyone have any insight? I really am worried now?
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