Hey Southernbelle!

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Isn't your 341 tomorrow? If that's still on, I want you to know you are in my unworthy prayers and I wish you every success.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

You know, I could have done this IM... My apologies for the shout out, folks.

[soleprop]

x2!!! let us know how you do! and i'm glad you posted this, is a good reminder!

[southernbelle]

Yep. It's today at 2pm. I'm not really nervous, just planning on taking off from work at 11:30, having lunch and getting there early.

Thank you guys soooo much for the positive reinforcement (I don't have any family to share with) so you guys are it. Thanks again and I'll report back afterwards.

[southernbelle]

Okay here's my 341 story. The meeting was supposed to start at 2pm. I got there at 1:10 and the place was packed. I met up with my atty. in the hall and he told me what to expect. He told me the Trustee was running behind and to just have a seat and listen.

That's exactly what I did. The Trustee was very through. She asked tons of questions and the average person took about 8-10 mins. Contrary to what most people here have experienced, she asked lots of questions that didn't require a yes or no answer, she wanted details. The Trustee was pretty nice though, she kinda joked around a little, but everyone just wanted to get done with this so they could leave.

It broke my heart to see how crowded the meeting room was. There must have been about 30 people in there. One couple had been married for 64 years. One elderly couple was only represented by the wife since the husband was in a nursing home. Most of them were giving up their homes, cars or both. Finally at 3:30 it was my turn only because my atty represented another lady ahead of me and to speed things up, the Trustee asked me to go next.

One poor guy that owned his own business and was converting from a 13 to a 7 had 2 creditors show up (no other creditors were there). They really grilled him and he messed up halfway through the questioning because on his schedules from the 13, he listed his equipment's value at about $195k, but when the creditor (the bank rep.) asked him about the value of the stuff (dump trucks, and heavy equipment), this guy said "oh no, it's worth way more than that". I sat there with my mouth open as if to say, idiot!!!! That started a new line of questions from the Trustee who thanked the creditor for asking the right questions. His 9 month pregnant atty. just sat there and said nothing. I actually met with her early on and was least impressed by her.

I thought it would never end. It was like this guy was determined to itemize each item and to show it was worth tons more than what the schedules showed. Finally I think he started to get it, then he started saying oh my attorney filled that stuff out. It was like watching a car wreck. Poor guy, I felt bad. It might make them go back to look at the 13 as well as mess things up for the 7.

Finally my turn. I got a little worried when the Trustee flipped through my paperwork before I sat down and asked my atty why I didn't have to take the Means test. It seemed like she was looking for the "cookbook" filing she had been seeing all day. He explained it to her as a "non-consumer" bankruptcy and she said "what's that". OH MY GOD!!!! I really started to freak out when she said that. Either that will mean that she won't know what to do with me or that she'll leave me alone. I find it hard to believe my city is so backward that the Trustee has never handled a non-consumer chapter 7 before. I think I feel worse now than I did before the 341.

She had 3 pages worth of stuff to ask and I answered mostly yes or no, but some answers required more explanation to make sure I understood the questions. I guess on the bright side, the Trustee did mention that she was sad to hear my business closed and that she bought my stuff often. I know she represents the creditors and I shouldn't expect any favors, but I'm worried.

My atty gave me copies of my bk paperwork (although I had my own copy from PACER) and a sheet which will lists all of the equipment / assets I should expect her to itemize and attach amounts to. My atty says she might ask me to pay for whatever items I want to keep and he doesn't expect her to separate business and personal non-exempt assets, so I might end up giving her more than I thought, but I doubt she'll be interested in my old tv's, but who knows. I think it depends on how anal she is. My atty. said we can contest giving up certain assets because with the taxes owed, it might not be worth it since I still owe so much. And I still have to deal with the US Trustee as well.

I felt pretty good that an atty. that insisted on a chapter 13 for me in my free consult. actually pulled my atty. aside after my meeting to ask him some questions. That made me feel like I made the right choice, but the stress is still too overwhelming. Anyway, long story short, I guess I'm now a part of the 60 day club.

[southernbelle]

Oh and one more thing. The Trustee asked me how I spent my tax refund and I pulled out a massive stack of receipts. She seemed shocked I had them and I'll bet that doesn't happen often. LOL

[Dollar Bill]

Congrats - Southernbelle wayyy to go.

Sounds like it should all go well from this point.

[Phillymanhere]

SouthernBelle,
That is one heck of a detailed report. You need a second career? .... I loved your descriptions of the action, the atmosphere, the line of questions, etc .... Here's to wishing you the best.

[dragonnfly]

Im so jealous....I filed 2 days before you and my 341 isint until June 2!!! Happy to hear yours went well. I had the same thing with one attorney wanting to file 13. I was lucky enough to find the 3rd attorney I interviewed. Congratualtions on joining the 60 day club.

[Cali]

Congrats, sounds like you did a great job.

[justplaintired]

Good luck and here's hoping your 60 days goes by quickly and with no problems! Sounds like you went prepared and had a good attorney. I do feel sorry for that guy, too bad he didn't spend some time on this forum!!

[gophermn]

Hey, welcome to the 60day club!! I got SICK TO MY STOMACH reading what you said "It broke my heart to see how crowded the meeting room was. There must have been about 30 people in there. One couple had been married for 64 years. One elderly couple was only represented by the wife since the husband was in a nursing home."

HOW SAD!!! Just makes you want to reach out knowing these people have tried good, been around and yet the economy is sucking them in the black hole. Well, I hope their stress is less now. Just sad, sad sad sad.

Good luck!!

[JRScott]

Welcome to the 60 day club

[lrprn]

Yay! You made it through your 341 - wtg!! Now it's the waiting game. Thanks for sharing your experiences, SB, and welcome to the 60-day club!

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Oh, I'm SOOOO glad it worked out for you!!! Sounds like you have a really good attorney too! To be honest, I think I'm more worried about the trustees that don't talk, don't ask, don't communicate, than the ones that do. I honestly think you're in good shape... or at least I *really really really* hope so!

Now it's just waiting, chewing fingernails, waiting... Good luck!!!