Upcoming Telephone conference with Trustee--Advice Greatly Appreciated

[bobbyquefour]

Hi,
I did a search but only found a thread from 2007, so I figured I would ask. Have any of you ever had to have a telephone conference with your trustee prior to your 341? This is required.

I asked my attorney about it and was told to just answer truthfully whatever they ask, but I find that to be vague. Any suggestions or experience would be much appreciated.

[mtbc]

I have no experience of such telephone conferences, but I would be honest and polite but as succinct as each question permits. I'd also try to sound more cheerful than nervous!

[HHM]

I have heard of it, but it is NOT common practice.

Sorry to give the same vague advice, simply answer the questions truthfully (but also vaguely, keep your answers short, ideally "yes", or "no"; fight the temptation to "explain").

[bobbyquefour]

I have heard of it, but it is NOT common practice.

Sorry to give the same vague advice, simply answer the questions truthfully (but also vaguely, keep your answers short, ideally "yes", or "no"; fight the temptation to "explain").

Thanks, I knew it was not common practice just by how hard I had to search to find anything about it on here or elsewhere but it is required. I have nothing to hide, but I don't see the point of it prior to the 341 meeting, and I also don't like the fact that I have to have this conference on the phone without my attorney present. I am sure it will probably be recorded. I just don't want to be blindsided by all kinds of questions that, if I expected them at all, I would expect them in the 341 meeting.

[mtbc]

Could you perhaps do it from your attorney's office so you have them there and can communicate "off-line" if need be? Just an idea.

[bobbyquefour]

I don't think that would be possible as it would require a separate appointment and she is in court on that day...and the day of the phone conference was NOT flexible. It was set and that is that.....

[bobbyquefour]

We all worry enough about the 341 meeting, it is unnerving to have to worry about an additional phone conversation/interview outside of the 341 meeting.

[Overmylimit]

My Attorney said they might do the same to me, or they might contact me with more questions since I have a lot of business debt. My Attorney just said to answer truthfully and then let him know if they did contact me. It's making me nervous to be sure...oh well in 6 months it will be memories....

[AngelinaCat]

Bobby, what state are you in? If you are in Florida, are you in the Middle District?

The reason I ask is because about a week before our 'actual 341', we had a telephonic hearing in our lawyer's office. This seems to be a more or less standard practice for MD Florida. This hearing worked essentially as a 'Dress Rehearsal' for the ' real' 341. The trustee's office assistance administered it and the situation was almost the same as going to the actual 341. We had to answer the same questions, et al.

Then we found that we had to bring a copy of our marriage license with us. We use two separate names and were married in South Carolina, not Florida. And everything was no big deal.

Treat this simply as a 'Dress Rehearsal'--an opportunity to get everything together and 'right' before your actual 'Performance'.

Good luck!!! You will do fine!!

[bobbyquefour]

Bobby, what state are you in? If you are in Florida, are you in the Middle District?

The reason I ask is because about a week before our 'actual 341', we had a telephonic hearing in our lawyer's office. This seems to be a more or less standard practice for MD Florida. This hearing worked essentially as a 'Dress Rehearsal' for the ' real' 341. The trustee's office assistance administered it and the situation was almost the same as going to the actual 341. We had to answer the same questions, et al.

Then we found that we had to bring a copy of our marriage license with us. We use two separate names and were married in South Carolina, not Florida. And everything was no big deal.

Treat this simply as a 'Dress Rehearsal'--an opportunity to get everything together and 'right' before your actual 'Performance'.

Good luck!!! You will do fine!!

Yes, Florida, and yes, middle district! My only concern is that I am supposed to call the trustee by myself and "discuss my case for no more than 15 minutes" and will not be in the presence of my attorney (who did not seem concerned about it)....but now you make me feel better.

I like dress rehearsals so I know what to expect...but I know a lot of people have never heard of a telephone conference so it made me really uneasy. Thank you for your advice!
Bobby

[tkharvey]

I'm in Florida (middle district) as well and we, too, had to have a conference call with our Trustee prior to our 341. It was no big deal, please don't worry about it! Just a few questions were asked, my attorney gave me an idea what she would ask and he said "answer honestly, but don't elaborate, trustees are not your friends". Anyway, just asked some basic questions....why are we filing, what do we do for a living, how long have we been married, have we ever filed before. It was (as well as our 341 meeting) very non eventful. DON'T WORRY! As long as you tell the truth and have nothing to hide, it's a piece of cake. Good luck!

[fireman32]

I had a 5 minute long meeting over the phone with my trustee just to confirm the information I filed with my attorney.

[vterry1022]

I just finished my phone conference. I filed in the MD of Florida-Jacksonville.
It was about 5 minutes with routine questions. Nothing to sweat!!
When did you start having financial difficulty?
Are you married?
What type of work do you do?
Have you ever filed before?
Just routine questions. I am very relieved, I was also nervous. Very unwarranted. Hope this helps.