All Who Have gone through 341 Meeting...what type

[6ftladycop]

What type of questions do or will they ask and is it necessary to study this information so you will be ready to answer honestly but all the while appearing to have good sense...lol

Reason I am asking is because some legal folks that I have spoken with suggest that pro se filers sit in on some meetings just to get an idea of how and what things are done and said.

They also suggested that we read up on all terminology used to describe our case and situation so as not to choke during questioning(that is if anybody even shows up).

What do you guys think of this and has there ever been any of you who were asked a question at a 341 meeting that completely blindsided youwhen asked? Is it necessary to prepare a statement concerning your financial situation just in case this is asked of you as well?

I will be checking back for the answers to this question because if this is necessary, I need to get right on it immediately.

[qwertysue]

Just got back from our 341.

I totally recommend sitting in on some meetings. There were some very poorly prepared pro se filers. There were some also poorly prepared filers WITH counsel.

We didn't have any questions from out of left field.

.

[freshstart06]

Qwert, how did your meeting go???

[qwertysue]

Qwert, how did your meeting go???

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=16240

[lrprn]

What type of questions do or will they ask.

6ft, here are links that list the typical questions that may be asked during the 341 meeting -

http://www.moranlaw.net/341_questions.pdf

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/private_trustee/library/chapter13/docs/341MtgQsCh13AppC.htm

http://www.mdbankruptcylaw.com/lawguide/chapter7bankruptcy/whattoexpect.asp#What%20Does%20the%20Trustee%20Want%20to%20Ask%20Me?

We filed Ch 13 and were asked some of these questions. I found lists like these on the Net ahead of time so had a chance to ask our lawyer how to answer any of the questions I wasn't sure about. Turned out that was overkill. We had no trouble easily answering all the questions our trustee had for us during our 341 meeting - they were all straightforward and directly related to our case.

[JRScott]

lrprn covered the questions pretty good.

Here is some other preparation for the 341:

1. Dress casually (as though going to an average restaurant)

Why: If you come in a brand new Sunday Dress/Suit you are going to make the Trustee think something is up.

2. Modest jewelry (wedding band if applicable, modest watch...nothing else)

Why: See 1. If you were a nice diamond ring or earrings or necklace you had best have it on the schedules or be prepared to surrender it.

3. Do not bring electronic devices (this includes cell phones, pagers, electronic games etc)

Why: Creates a distraction in the proceedings.

4. Do not bring children with you.

Why: Creates a distraction in the proceedings.

5. Do bring Identification (DL and SSN)

Why: Without this the Trustee cannot be sure who you are and thus cannot proceed with the case.

6. DO NOT BE LATE

Why: The Trustee doesn't like folks who aren't there at roll call. He actually can dismiss the case......

7. Bring Requested Materials

Why: The Trustee feels he/she needs these to adjudicate your case. Provide before the 341 if you can through mail/fax. Otherwise bring them along. You should get the list if they want additional info within a week or two before the 341. (Typical stuff is tax returns for 3 years, pay stubs for 6 months, etc)

Hope this helps

[Bandit]

Here is how I would answer them from that site, lrprn gave.

http://www.mdbankruptcylaw.com/lawgu...to%20Ask%20Me?

Do the petition and schedules accurately and completely list all of your debts and all of your assets? (If you have left anything out tell the trustee about this so it can be corrected).
I hope so

Does anyone owe you any money?
NO


Do you have the right to sue anyone?
I do not understand this question. Can someone explain?

Have you owned any real estate within the last six years?
NO

Are you expecting to inherit anything from any one?
NO

Does any one hold anything that belongs to you?
NO

Do you have anything that belongs to some one else?
NO

What got you into financial trouble?
An accident with medical bills

Has your lawyer explained to you what a Bankruptcy discharge is?
I will have to wait to answer this one when I can actually feel the reality of being forgiven

I thought the questions would be more interrogating. Any how, that was just my practice run. Was that ok to pass?
Any tips on better answering?

[Cassiopeia]

Do you have the right to sue anyone?

Answer to that one should be NO. They are looking for the possibility that you could be coming into money in the future.

Do the schedules accurately and completely list all debts?

YES! (You don't want to sound unsure of yourself! Be confident!)

What got you into financial trouble?

That one was not asked of me, and from what I've read here, it would be unusual to have that asked.

[JollyGG]

Just show up a bit before your meeting and watch the 341s before yours. Your trustee will probably ask pretty much the same qestions of everyone and then refer to their file to ask a few questions specific to their file (and even those will be pretty standard) and then be done.
Heck ours emailed my lawyer ahead of time with her additional question so we could be prepared to answer. However, I have yet to see anyone else have that happen to them.

[Bandit]

Just show up a bit before your meeting and watch the 341s before yours. Your trustee will probably ask pretty much the same qestions of everyone and then refer to their file to ask a few questions specific to their file (and even those will be pretty standard) and then be done.
Heck ours emailed my lawyer ahead of time with her additional question so we could be prepared to answer. However, I have yet to see anyone else have that happen to them.

I read one place where they do up to about 20 to 30 cases per hour, so it must all be pretty standard and fast in the questions. Watching the cases before & listening is good advice for me.

[I]

Do the schedules accurately and completely list all debts?

YES! (You don't want to sound unsure of yourself! Be confident!)

Thanks, Cassiopeia. I will be confident and say yes.

[desperation]

In agreement with most here. Best advice is to show up a couple of hours before your 341 and see what kinds of questions the trustee is asking. I wish I had...

I had two cases before mine...the first I listened in on, and my attorney was at my side the entire time coaching me on how to answer. The second case I never got to listen to because the poor womans attorney was MIA, and the trustee got a little testy saying something to the effect "you need to find him" and was ready to start the next hours list. I think he gave her 10 minutes....She did find her attorney, and he looked quite sheepish, in being so late....I wondered at the time if he was from the firm I initially hired....


As far as dressing advice...I would suggest you go business casual...or like you were going to a job interview.
I would not suggest showing up in torn jeans and a tank top. (but if that is all you have then that is all you have) .

Dress your best if you can to show your respect for the trustee, and the court, and that you take this procedure seriously. After all... they hold your financial future in their hands.

Don't go in with "bling" hanging off of your ears, fingers, or neck. Lose the cell phone. At my 341 I was required to turn it in to the security guards anyway before I could get past the checkpoint.

I was never questioned about how I got into my financial troubles....truth is my sad story could be told from the petition I filed.


Best of luck, and hopes for you 6ftladycop, and to all who are going thru this

[demismom]

Just be prepared and tell the truth. Also, our meeting was held in a room away from everyone else waiting for there 341, so depending on how your Trustee does things, that might not be possible.

[rilbrianne]

Similar Question...

I have a similar question so I thought I'd add it here...

I am getting ready to send the required documents to my trustee but I was wondering about the tax return. This is probably the dumbest question on the forumbut here goes!

H&R Block does my taxes. I have last years tax return "file" that I usually get. What exactly do I need to take out of this file to send?
**W-2's??
**Page that shows a general list of what I got back??
**There is a page that compares my income, return, and the difference from 2005 and 2006???
**The actual line by line tax filing paperwork?? (that seems a little unnecessary but you never know )

It would really be a pain and probably unnecessary to send the trustee the whole file, lol.

Thanks for your help!!