One Last Hurdle to Clear ... Questions

[bktek]

At this point, I'm almost a week beyond the 60-day window for objections. PACER hasn't been updated to verify the objection deadline, but I believe if there were going to be creditor objections they would have been filed by now.

So, I think I'm almost home. Early on in my filing, though, I received a document from the BK court stating that I must attend the BK hearing in order to obtain a discharge. I felt this was kind of odd for a CH7 bk, but I assume it's because I was a pro se filer.

I wonder if any other CH7 filers on the forum have attended the actual BK hearing in front of the judge? Is it anything similar to the 341 meeting? Will I be questioned in the same manner? Or is it merely a formality before obtaining a discharge?

Thanks for any advise you can provide!

[JRScott]

If you are reaffirming any debt and are pro se then yes it is normal to appear before the judge.

I can't say how those meetings are never been in one

[bktek]

If you are reaffirming any debt and are pro se then yes it is normal to appear before the judge.

I can't say how those meetings are never been in one

No, not reaffirming anything. That's why I thought it odd. And I don't have a clue what to expect. There is a wealth of information here and across the internet on the 341 process, but almost zilch on the discharge hearing.

[StartingOver08]

I never heard of a discharge hearing as we don't have them in our district. However, I have noticed that there does seem to be enough variation among the districts that it is possible that is one of your district requirements. Where are you?

[bktek]

I'm sure you're right about it being a district requirement. The discharge hearing is listed on the docket and, as I mentioned, I received official notice from the court that I had to attend to obtain a discharge. I think it's customary for only the filer's attorney to attend. Since I don't have an attorney, I guess it falls to me. I just wish I had clue as to what to expect from the judge. I hate walking into any situation unprepared.

[aljohnson007]

I would call the bk clerk and ask what this is all about. I filed pro se and it was all automatic. Strange.

[music12]

this sounds weird. there is never a hearing before a judge where the parties don't know what it's about. there is no such thing whether you are pro se or not. call the clerk and ask what's on the agenda. did that letter that said you have to attend say what the hearing was about?

[bktek]

Yeah, I thought it was weird, too. The document says it is a discharge hearing. There's no other information on it, other than stating that I must attend to obtain a discharge.

Apparently it's court policy. I searched through a few other pro se filings and they all have the same document. Hopefully it's just a formality.

[music12]

still, call and ask what happens at these hearings. a court can't summon you without telling you what's on the agenda. if it's a formality, they have to tell you that.