Can I request to call into my 341 meeting?

[JimBahn]

Two years ago, my wife was deported from the United States and I of course followed her.

Her deportation has caused us to have to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I am filing Pro-Se because I cannot afford an attorney. I literally have less that $500 to my name. Both my wife and I are currently unemployed as well and we have zero income other than what our family can help us out with.

So my case has been assigned a trustee and a date for the 341. Is there any way I can request to call into the 341 meeting as I simply cannot afford an international airline ticket at the moment. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

[AngelinaCat]

This is a new one on me. I do not know of any situation that you can avoid appearing in person at your 341, unless you are deployed overseas with the military and your spouse has your Durable Family Power of Attorney.

We have had numerous questions regarding whether the debtor can skip the 341, and the consensus is that you must be very sick and in the hospital--in which the 341 will be rescheduled. Or you are dead. This last was a joke, but barely. That is how serious that the 341 meeting is considered. This is the only time that you, the debtor, meet with the trustee, and answer questions under oath.

Now, I do know that sometimes the trustee's office will conduct a preliminary -- 'dress-rehearsal' telephonic hearing in the week before the scheduled 341. One is put under oath, etc., just as happens in the in-person 341. Florida--Middle District, Jacksonville, seems to use these 'dress rehearsals'. 'Hub and I underwent one.

Since you are pro se, call your clerk at you BK Court and ask what you should do. Also call your trustee's office and ask the people there. You may get 'brushed off' with the statement 'your attorney should be the one to arrange these matters...'. State that you are pro se, and are acting as your own lawyer. Also, Despritfreya is one of our best contributors, and is an attorney. Perhaps Des can offer a suggestion/solution.

[HHM]

Nope, you need to attend, one of the primary reasons of the 341 is to verify identity, and since you don't have an attorney that can vouch for you, you will need to be there.

[keepsmiling]

What were your long term plans?
Did you plan to come back here to live?

So.... what happens if he doesn't show? Case dismissed, right? How long to file again? If he doesn't plan to come back, it doesn't matter anyway, correct?