Last minute advice for the 341 meeting

[freshstart06]

Has anyone wore shorts to the meeting??? You guys know I live in one of the hottest cities in the world and I have that boot cast. Would it be tacky to wear nice dress shorts???

Also, how do I keep myself from talking too much??? When I am nervous, I have a tendency to try to explain and talk too much, I have to remember to just answer yes and no unless I am asked to explain but keep it brief.

Thankfully, we use our debit card for everything so there should not be too many questions where or how we spend our money, he can just look on the bankstatements.

I just hope I don't do anything stupid like cry in front of the trustee.

OH, we just got this huge dental expense (over $3000) we are on a payment plan for $275 a month. Should I bring this info with me??? I am not trying to discharge it, I want it included as one of our current expenses. It does qualify for medical and it is necessary, I am just afraid because it will put us negative and that is not always good. Also, do I bring up this medical expense when he ask us do we have any changes???

Come on Gang.... tips, tips, tips give me some tips. LOL.

[cathywhite4495]

I would assume dress shorts would be OK if you live in a hot city and have a cast but I would probably go with a skirt if you have one. I would also bring the dental stuff just in case - it's better to have more than you need than to be missing something.
Lots of good luck to you!

[freshstart06]

Thank you cathywhite. I will go through a dozen outfits before tomorrow. But it is hot. It is monsoon season here. So not only is it 115 degrees it is also humid. Well it may be 109-110 today so it is a little better. LOL

[SinkingFast]

Pretty much every one dressed "nice". Ladies in dress pants. Men in khaki's or dress pants. Nice tops or shirts. Attnys, were of course, wearing suits.

But one Filer guy showed up looking really scruffy. Dingy, well worn jeans, a Tee, a checked flannel shirt over that, and a Carhart or Dickie's work jacket. Didn't seem to bother the Trustee one bit.

If it's hot there and you can look nice wearing dressier shorts or capri's,.......... Then go for it.

[guzzie]

wore dress shorts and casual shirt .....rest of people old blue jeans shirts, etc no jewelery or phone with me that day.....good luck....guzzie

[Cassiopeia]

I think nice shorts would be fine, especially since you have a cast and live in a very hot climate.

I wore very, very casual pants and a casual top and sandals. I live in FL and my 341 was in July. So it's pretty miserable here. I didn't see anyone really dressed up at all, to speak of. The whole atmosphere of the court was rather casual. The trustee (a lady) was dressed business-like, and so was my attorney. But none of the filers.

DON'T YAK A LOT! "Yes" or "no" is ALL you need to say. I think the trustee asked me ONE question that required more than "yes" or "no" but even there I was as brief as possible. DO NOT VOLUNTEER ANY INFORMATION.

[demismom]

No advice on the dressing, I can't even remember what I wore. LOL

As for the not talking, sit on your hands. If you're like me (and I'm a HUGE gabber), I talk with my hands ALOT! So, sitting on my hands helps and it helped me at my 341. Just keeping saying yes or no in your head, you'll be fine.

[thewife]

My cousin wore a nice pair of shorts and told me to make sure I look presentable. She said she felt under dressed compared to the other people waiting. I tend to talk alot too when I am nervous, so that is a fear of mine as well. Sorry I have no advice, but I have not had my meeting yet. Good luck to you

[BKTango]

Just wanted to say good luck!

As far as the dressing goes, I wore nice jeans and my hubby wore his work uniform considering he left work to go and had to go right back to work. I remember the trustee making a joking comment that too many people think they need to dress up for him. So go with casual but nice casual. Nice dress shorts would be perfectly fine.

If need be...put you hand on your mouth so you won't talk too much lol. Just answer each question simply, honestly, and most times it will be a yes or no answer. That's it. Don't offer anything else, other than the answer to the question given.

Most of all.

RELAX. It won't be that bad.