A 341 meeting is not a court hearing. A bankruptcy trustee runs it and puts you under oath. Judges are barred from attending. The trustee asks about your money and your property. Creditors may attend and ask questions too. Meetings are often short, but you must attend and answer.
What happened
Your bankruptcy case was filed. The court or the trustee then sent a notice with a meeting date, a time, and a place. Every bankruptcy case has this meeting. People call it the 341 meeting, after the section of law behind it.
What usually applies
The trustee assigned to your case runs the meeting. The trustee puts you under oath and asks about your money and your property. Creditors are allowed to come and ask questions too. A bankruptcy judge is not allowed to be there at all. In a Chapter 7 case, the meeting falls 21 to 40 days after the case is filed. In a Chapter 13 case, the window runs longer, so use the date on your own notice. You must attend and answer the questions. Refusing to appear or to obey court orders can lead to a dismissed case.
“During this meeting, the trustee puts the debtor under oath, and both the trustee and creditors may ask questions. The debtor must attend the meeting and answer questions regarding the debtor's financial affairs and property.”
“In order to preserve their independent judgment, bankruptcy judges are prohibited from attending the meeting of creditors.”
“Between 21 and 40 days after the petition is filed, the case trustee (described below) will hold a meeting of creditors.”
“An individual cannot file under chapter 7 or any other chapter, however, if during the preceding 180 days a prior bankruptcy petition was dismissed due to the debtor's willful failure to appear before the court or comply with orders of the court”
What to do
- 1
Check the date, time, and place on your notice
Your notice says when the meeting is and how it is held. Read it closely and put the date on a calendar.
- 2
Ask your trustee what to bring
Trustees check who you are before the questions start. Most ask for a photo ID and proof of your Social Security number.
- 3
Send the papers the trustee asks for early
A trustee may want tax returns, pay records, or bank statements. Sending them early keeps the meeting short.
- 4
Answer the questions under oath
You will be asked about your income, your debts, and what you own. Answer plainly and say so if you do not know.
- 5
Do not skip the meeting
Showing up is required. Call the trustee office first if the date does not work or you need an interpreter.
Most 341 meetings are short and plain. Call the trustee office before the date if you cannot make it. Call too if you need an interpreter or help getting into the room. If a creditor files a dispute, or the trustee asks about property you could lose, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer or a legal aid office first.
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Sources
- Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (Bankruptcy Basics, Chapter 7)Retrieved 2026-07-31
Last reviewed 2026-07-31