With exception to the sweltering temperature of 100 degrees, my 341 was really no sweat.
My hearing time was 1pm, arrived about an hour early. I only live about 20 miles from downtown Baltimore but I knew with the constant construction and sometimes difficulty in finding parking, ample extra time was a necessary. I already knew where the courthouse was so I wasn't worried about finding it.
I arrived at the courthouse. I left my cell phone in the car. I wore absolutely no jewelry and was dressed in neatly ironed dressed slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. Nothing extreme in attire, conservative, lucky for me, my clothes from my days in the corporate world still fit. I haven't had to dress up for work in years, I typically get to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work.
My trustee was a much older gentleman, sporting a head to to seersucker blue and white suit. I was able to listen to many many cases, he was not being gentle. I was a bit nervous but nothing to extreme, I had every single supporting document with me, neatly organized in a 3-ring binder, I was prepared for any possible question he could throw at me.
There was a waiting area and the cases were heard in a conference type room, with the trustee sitting on one side of the table and the debtors sitting across from him.
Here's what surprised me about other debtors:
1. Attire. In my opinion, flip-flops and shorts are never appropriate for court. I was surprised at how casual some people were dressed, shocked really. Maybe it was the way I was raised, not sure, but I was always taught to be respectful of the courts and proper attire is one part.
2. Some debtors had absolutely no idea what they were there for. I heard 2 separate debtors ask their attorney: "Now what is this meeting for?" Again, I was quite surprised, I'm not sure how it's even possible to go to court and not know what they are there for. (I also ruled those individuals out as possible members of this forum.
)
3. Not having social security cards. At least 5 debtors did not bring their social security cards, in most instances the trustee accepted a paystub or a tax return as evidence in replacement of the card. One lady did not have her card, left the room and apparently left the courthouse, did not tell her lawyer she was leaving. The trustee DISMISSED her case on the spot. Again, I was shocked at how people could not be prepared.
4. Not listening. The trustee called all the 1pm cases into the room at once and said, "Have your social security card and driver's license out and ready to present." After about 5 people fumbling to look for the information, he made the announcement again. I thought to myself, "Great, all you people have managed to irritate the Trustee before he calls my case. Thanks a lot."
5. Disorganization. Perhaps it's my OCD tendancies, not sure, but I couldn't imagine sitting in front of a US TRUSTEE fumbling through documents kept in plastic bags etc. Again, just not respectful of the courts, in my opinion. Some of the attorney's were very disorganized as well, they fumbled through folders looking for various things, pulled out the wrong things etc. It was laughable, though I did not laugh.
6. Bring your records. He asked other debtors about child support, wage garnishments, rental properties etc. He wanted copies of everything. He gave everyone the opportunity to send it to the court within 10 days but I just think it's better to have it all with you at the time of the meeting.
And on to my case:
I was one of the last ones called during the 1pm slots. Everyone before me had an attorney, the Trustee was asking everyone the same serious of questions, about 15 of them total. He asked EVERY SINGLE PERSON for copies of their tax returns, most did not have them and EVERY SINGLE time he replied with "Why not?" He was irritated. Most of the attorney's did not have copies either. One debtor responded with "I have not filed taxes in 5 years"....the Trustee said..."You are going to need to take care of that and provide copies to the court."
1pm rolled around and no sign of my attorney. The trustee passed all our cases towards the end, their were 2 people in front of me with my attorney.
At about 1:10pm a lady flusters into the room, she was the 'stand in' for my attorney. I was none to pleased with this, having not been informed of this beforehand. I paid my attorney so I didn't have any surprises, I never figured he would in fact be the surprise. But alas, like it or not, I proceeded with this lady he sent. She was a mess, dropped all her folders, dropped her phone etc. I pretended I did not know her. LOL
So finally my case gets called, I get sworn in and promptly present my social security card and driver's license.
If memory serves me correctly I was asked the following questions, all of which I responded with "Yes sir" or "No sir."
1. Did you read your petition before signing?
2. Is all the information true and correct?
3. Are all your liabilities listed?
4. Are all your assets listed?
5. Do you own any property?
6. Do you own any vehicles other than the one listed?
7. Do you expect any tax refunds?
8. Do you have copies of your most recent tax returns?
9. Are you a beneficiary in any life insurance policies?
10. Is anyone garnishing your wages?
11. Do you owe child support?
12. Are their mistakes on your petition?
And then he said he had no further questions and ended the meeting. The trustee actually SMILED at me when he said that to me. It was the first sign of 'joy' out of him all day. I thanked him and smiled back. I think he was pleased at how prepared I was, I had my tax returns handy and ready for him as well.
Now most in the room said their attorney submitted their tax returns or had copies, mine did both as well. But I wasn't going to debate with a Trustee, he asked for them, and I had, simple solution.
My case was easy, for me, but I was prepared. I really wasn't that nervous, but it was intimidating.
This forum is a treasure trove of information, hopefully my post will help others, like the posts of so many people before me have helped myself.
And now, I join the ranks of the 60-day club...YEE HAW!
My hearing time was 1pm, arrived about an hour early. I only live about 20 miles from downtown Baltimore but I knew with the constant construction and sometimes difficulty in finding parking, ample extra time was a necessary. I already knew where the courthouse was so I wasn't worried about finding it.
I arrived at the courthouse. I left my cell phone in the car. I wore absolutely no jewelry and was dressed in neatly ironed dressed slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. Nothing extreme in attire, conservative, lucky for me, my clothes from my days in the corporate world still fit. I haven't had to dress up for work in years, I typically get to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work.
My trustee was a much older gentleman, sporting a head to to seersucker blue and white suit. I was able to listen to many many cases, he was not being gentle. I was a bit nervous but nothing to extreme, I had every single supporting document with me, neatly organized in a 3-ring binder, I was prepared for any possible question he could throw at me.
There was a waiting area and the cases were heard in a conference type room, with the trustee sitting on one side of the table and the debtors sitting across from him.
Here's what surprised me about other debtors:
1. Attire. In my opinion, flip-flops and shorts are never appropriate for court. I was surprised at how casual some people were dressed, shocked really. Maybe it was the way I was raised, not sure, but I was always taught to be respectful of the courts and proper attire is one part.
2. Some debtors had absolutely no idea what they were there for. I heard 2 separate debtors ask their attorney: "Now what is this meeting for?" Again, I was quite surprised, I'm not sure how it's even possible to go to court and not know what they are there for. (I also ruled those individuals out as possible members of this forum.
)3. Not having social security cards. At least 5 debtors did not bring their social security cards, in most instances the trustee accepted a paystub or a tax return as evidence in replacement of the card. One lady did not have her card, left the room and apparently left the courthouse, did not tell her lawyer she was leaving. The trustee DISMISSED her case on the spot. Again, I was shocked at how people could not be prepared.
4. Not listening. The trustee called all the 1pm cases into the room at once and said, "Have your social security card and driver's license out and ready to present." After about 5 people fumbling to look for the information, he made the announcement again. I thought to myself, "Great, all you people have managed to irritate the Trustee before he calls my case. Thanks a lot."
5. Disorganization. Perhaps it's my OCD tendancies, not sure, but I couldn't imagine sitting in front of a US TRUSTEE fumbling through documents kept in plastic bags etc. Again, just not respectful of the courts, in my opinion. Some of the attorney's were very disorganized as well, they fumbled through folders looking for various things, pulled out the wrong things etc. It was laughable, though I did not laugh.
6. Bring your records. He asked other debtors about child support, wage garnishments, rental properties etc. He wanted copies of everything. He gave everyone the opportunity to send it to the court within 10 days but I just think it's better to have it all with you at the time of the meeting.
And on to my case:
I was one of the last ones called during the 1pm slots. Everyone before me had an attorney, the Trustee was asking everyone the same serious of questions, about 15 of them total. He asked EVERY SINGLE PERSON for copies of their tax returns, most did not have them and EVERY SINGLE time he replied with "Why not?" He was irritated. Most of the attorney's did not have copies either. One debtor responded with "I have not filed taxes in 5 years"....the Trustee said..."You are going to need to take care of that and provide copies to the court."
1pm rolled around and no sign of my attorney. The trustee passed all our cases towards the end, their were 2 people in front of me with my attorney.
At about 1:10pm a lady flusters into the room, she was the 'stand in' for my attorney. I was none to pleased with this, having not been informed of this beforehand. I paid my attorney so I didn't have any surprises, I never figured he would in fact be the surprise. But alas, like it or not, I proceeded with this lady he sent. She was a mess, dropped all her folders, dropped her phone etc. I pretended I did not know her. LOL
So finally my case gets called, I get sworn in and promptly present my social security card and driver's license.
If memory serves me correctly I was asked the following questions, all of which I responded with "Yes sir" or "No sir."
1. Did you read your petition before signing?
2. Is all the information true and correct?
3. Are all your liabilities listed?
4. Are all your assets listed?
5. Do you own any property?
6. Do you own any vehicles other than the one listed?
7. Do you expect any tax refunds?
8. Do you have copies of your most recent tax returns?
9. Are you a beneficiary in any life insurance policies?
10. Is anyone garnishing your wages?
11. Do you owe child support?
12. Are their mistakes on your petition?
And then he said he had no further questions and ended the meeting. The trustee actually SMILED at me when he said that to me. It was the first sign of 'joy' out of him all day. I thanked him and smiled back. I think he was pleased at how prepared I was, I had my tax returns handy and ready for him as well.
Now most in the room said their attorney submitted their tax returns or had copies, mine did both as well. But I wasn't going to debate with a Trustee, he asked for them, and I had, simple solution.
My case was easy, for me, but I was prepared. I really wasn't that nervous, but it was intimidating.
This forum is a treasure trove of information, hopefully my post will help others, like the posts of so many people before me have helped myself.
And now, I join the ranks of the 60-day club...YEE HAW!
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