The Section 341 Bankruptcy Meeting is typically the only court hearing a Debtor(s) is required to attend after filing Bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.  The hearing is labeled the Section 341 Meeting because it is required and defined in section 341 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.  

The Section 341 Bankruptcy Meeting while stressful for Client(s) is held in an informal setting and a non-adversarial proceeding.  You will be questioned by the Trustee assigned to your case and he/she is not there to trick or upset you, the Trustee will just ask you standard questions to confirm the information in your bankruptcy filing.  A typical hearing lasts 5 – 10 minutes.

The creditors listed in your bankruptcy petition are notified of the meeting and may attend, but their attendance is not mandatory (in representing individuals in over 750 bankruptcy filings, I have had a creditor appear at the hearing once, and it was my client’s uncle who loaned him $10,000.00).

This meeting is held within 30-45 days after your bankruptcy petition is filed. At the hearing, you must provide the trustee an original photo identification and proof of social security card (If you need to obtain a Social Security Card, visit https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ for instructions on how to obtain a new Card)

You must appear at the hearing to testify under oath and answer questions from the trustee and any creditors who appear.

At the Section 341 Bankruptcy Meeting, you will be examined by the United States Panel Trustee assigned to your case.  All cases filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Middle District of Pennsylvania are monitored and examined by the United States Trustee Office for Region 3.

The United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are located at:

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is located at: