What Happens at a Chapter 7 Meeting of Creditors?

After filing a chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will be required to attend "the meeting of creditors".  The meeting takes place at court around 45 days after you file bankruptcy. If you have to attend the hearing.  If you do not attend, the trustee, who runs the meeting will likely file a motion asking the court to dismiss your case.   The meeting is referred to as the "meeting of creditors" because creditors are notified that they may attend and question you about your assets and any other matter relevant to the administration of the case. The good news is that creditors rarely attend the meeting.  On the rare occasions when they do, they are usually trying to locate secured property.  Commonly I see jewelry shops shops asking for the location and return of jewelry where the debtor defaulted on the loan.  Other creditors may ask questions to see whether a debtor should be in a chapter 7 when they can afford to pay back their creditors.  Again, it is rare that a creditor shows up to ask questions.  The meeting usually lasts only a few minutes and may be continued if the trustee is not satisfied with the information provided by the debtor. Often meetings are continued when the debtor fails to provide acceptable identification and proof of Social Security number. Also, many debtors fail to send the trustee tax returns and pay stubs 7 days before the hearing, per California Eastern District Bankruptcy Court rules.  In short, make sure you are prepared for the meeting.  If you have hired an attorney, the attorney will make sure to send the documents to the trustee and remind you to bring your driver's license and social security card to the meeting.  

If you fail to provide the information requested at the meeting, the trustee will likely set another date for you to return to provide the information.  Multiple instances of non-compliance will likely lead to the trustee requesting that the bankruptcy case be dismissed or that the debtor be ordered by the court to cooperate or be held in contempt of court for willful failure to cooperate. The information enables the trustee to understand your financial circumstances for filing bankruptcy and speeds up the questioning process. The trustee will ask questions to ensure that your financial information is correct, that you do not have assets that can be sold with proceeds going to creditors and to make sure you understands the positive and negative aspects of filing for bankruptcy. 
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