In most Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, the debtor must attend a meeting called the bankruptcy 341 meeting of creditors. He must bring along certain types of documentation to the meeting. Some of those documents are mandated by bankruptcy law; others are mandated by the local laws in the district, while still others are specifically requested by the trustee.
Typically, you must provide the following documents at the bankruptcy creditors’ meeting.
- You must provide your last tax returns filed to the bankruptcy trustee at least seven days before the date of the meeting of creditors.
- You must provide proof of identity and your Social Security number. You can provide an identification card like your driver’s license or passport. You can provide proof of your Social Security number by bringing along your original Social Security card. However, some Trustees will accept your tax return, a letter from the Social Security Administration containing your number, or a letter from the Internal Revenue Service signifying the same.
Before the meeting, consult your attorney to go over the documents you’ll need to bring to your meeting, and to protect your rights under bankruptcy law.
What happens if I fail to bring along these documents?
If you fail to bring along a copy of the last tax return, you are at risk of having the meeting continued or could even have your case dismissed. Similarly, if you fail to bring along documents that conform to the mandated identification requirements or fail to bring along any other documents required or requested by the trustee, you are at risk of having your case dismissed. If you fail to bring along evidence of your Social Security number, you may have your hearing rescheduled.
Are there any other types of documents necessary at a bankruptcy meeting of creditors?
In some cases, trustees will provide a specific list of documentation that you must bring along for the hearing. For example, a trustee may require more clarification on a certain matter, and may require documentation to support your position. Even if these documents are not required under bankruptcy law, it is your duty as the debtor to provide these documents. Cooperation with the trustee is important. A debtor must agree to cooperate with the trustee, and failure to present the documents as required could result in the court actually dismissing your case.
Get Legal Help with Bankruptcy Proceedings in Plano
Filing for bankruptcy can be an arduous and complicated task without a bankruptcy lawyer to help you at every step of the way. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, seek the guidance of a bankruptcy lawyer who can help you file the appropriate documentation before predetermined deadlines, and guide you at every step of the way. Contact a bankruptcy attorney at Warren and Migliaccio to discuss your case. Call 888-584-9614 or use our contact form to set up a consultation.