What to Expect at a Chapter 13 341 Meeting in Selma

The 341 Meeting which has been scheduled in your case will be held at the United States Federal Courthouse located at 908 Alabama Avenue, Selma, Alabama.

Remember to dress appropriately for your hearing-business casual attire. (Shirts with collars and sleeves, long pants, skirts or dresses with sleeves. No shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, flip flops, etc.)

Street parking is available around the courthouse but is limited. Please arrive early so you can find parking.

When you enter the federal building, you will be required to go through a metal detector so please don’t bring along any items that you won’t need. Do not bring your cell phone. You will not be allowed to bring your cell phone into the courthouse. You will also need your driver’s license or some other form of government-issued identification to be allowed into the courthouse.

Going through security sometimes takes a few minutes so please allow yourself plenty of time so that you are not late for your hearing. Once through the metal detector, the 341-meeting room is on the SECOND FLOOR. Please enter the courtroom and have a seat in the back of the room. Please let one of our attorney’s know you are present so the Trustee can be notified you are ready.

The 341 Meeting is not a court hearing and the bankruptcy judge will not be present. There may be a short wait, but your actual meeting will normally last just a few minutes. You will be sworn in and then the Trustee appointed in your case, and any of your creditors who are present, will be given an opportunity to ask you questions about your bankruptcy petition under oath. When it is time for your hearing, you will be called to the podium and one of our attorneys will be in the courtroom with you.

One of the first questions you will be asked is HAS YOUR FIRST CHAPTER 13 PAYMENT BEEN MADE? Therefore, it is very important that you bring proof of your first payment to the 341 meeting. A payment must be received by the trustee within 30 days from your filing date. NO EXCEPTIONS. You must mail your payments directly to the Chapter 13 Trustee. Please mail your payments to:

We never know exactly what other questions the trustee will ask but sample questions include:

• State your name. Are you still at the same address you listed on your bankruptcy paperwork?
• Did you sign the petition, schedules, statements, and related documents? Is the signature your own?
• Did you read the petition, schedules, statements, and documents before you signed them?
• Are all of your assets and property identified on the schedules?
• Have you listed all of your creditors on the schedules?
• Have you filed bankruptcy before?
• Is your income still the same as it was on the day you filed bankruptcy?
• Are your expenses still the same?
• What is the address of your current employer?
• Have you provided your most recent filed tax return to your attorney?
• Do you have a domestic support obligation, (child support or alimony)? If so, the name and address of the recipient will have to be provided.
• Are you current on your post-petition child support or alimony obligations?
• Have you filed all required tax returns for the past four years?
• Do you have a claim or lawsuit against anyone or any business that might result in you getting some money? If so, what is the status of each case and who is representing you?
• Have you sold or transferred any property to anyone within the last four years?

The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of questions. You may be asked other or different questions depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, you may be asked about any large or unusual bank deposits appearing on your recent bank statements. Or, if you are self-employed, you may be asked questions about your business and how it operates. You should be respectful and courteous in responding to questions that are asked. If you have a concern about how you should respond, please let our attorney know and we will assist you as necessary.

When the Trustee is done with her questioning, she will let you know. But our attorney may want to review things with you after the meeting is over so please don’t leave until we tell you that you can do so. Thank you.