341 in 2 days....Any advice?

[Stilltheone]

Ok, when we first filed and got our 341 appt, I wasn't at all nervous because it was so far out...

Now, it's in 48 hours and I am a NERVOUS WRECK! I seriously could throw up. My stomach is in knots and everytime I think about it, I could just cry.

Any advice on how to get over this feeling? Anyone have any good 341 stories to share with me?

My husband keeps telling me "what's the worst that could happen?" and I know he's right....I know we qualify and I don't *think* anything could happen to us, it's just the unknown factor, ya know?

Please help me calm down and just breathe!!

[mikep]

Don't worry too much.I had mine last wednesday and it went by with a breeze.The trustee will ask you 20 or so yes/no questions.Get there early to here some of the cases before yours.And if you have a no asset case,you will be good to go.Good luck.

[tallberry]

mine was back on 5/1 and it was pretty simple, obvious questions. Our trustee did not take our return or stimulus...she was awesome! One thing that did make me feel better was that I printed off my petition from Pacer and then looked it over thoroughly while I was waiting for our name to be called. I wanted to have all of the info fresh in my mind, in case she asked about it. Good Luck...I'm sure you wil do fine!

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Stilltheone, you'll be fine. You got this far, whatever happens now you'll get through it, and it's far more likely to be a sight more positive than what you've already been through.

That said, here are some simple suggestions. Dress down, business casual is good. You want to blend in and not look incredibly affluent. Don't wear jewelry -- ESPECIALLY if you didn't declare any! Answer the questions as simply and briefly as possible -- yes or no if you can -- and don't let your nervousness send you into a lather of unnecessary detail and explanation. Your petition has already spoken for you. Be familiar with its contents! Bring a copy of whatever supporting documentation you have, and a copy of your petition; you probably won't need it, but it'll make you feel good to have it.

Some people, it helps them to arrive early so that they can watch others go through the process; others, that seems to crank up their anxiety level. You know yourself best, so do what you think is best on that score. At the very least, though, don't be late, and DON'T forget your SS card and driver's license. You could even prepare a folder the day or so before your 341, and start piling everything you need in there so that you don't forget any last minute item. I took an expanding file; use what works best for you.

Oh yeah: DON'T bring your cell phone! They are not allowed in the federal courthouse at all. And if you're like me and have a little knife/fingernail file on your keychain, leave that off too. Be prepared to get stared down by a goggle of U.S. Marshals on your way in. It's not you. Don't let it bother you.

All that said, relax, take a deep breath, and smoke 'em if you got 'em. It's really not that bad. Good luck!!!

[msndsy]

I was very nervous too and we even had to bring our kids along . I was so worried about everything, the trustee, how will the kids do ... .

We had to go through several security guards and they were super nice. One of them gave our kids chocolate for being so well behaved,lol. We paid the clerk our first installment for the filing fee and she was so nice too.

Now to our 341. It took 2 minutes, really no longer than that. Ask for our names, verify our address, asked if someone owes us money, if we had done any business with family, if everything on our petition was truthful and that was it. Never asked about our tax refund and stimulus check. The kids didn't make a sound and just sat on our lap. The trustee took 10 seconds to look at our file and noticed that a bank statement didn't have a name on it, not sure why? Maybe the attorney made copy's and cut the name off, I don't know. The trustee said " There is no name on the bank statement", and when the attorney started to open up our file, He said "oh, that's ok, it doesn't matter" and sent us on our way.

I am sure you will be fine, make sure to give us an update.

[Stilltheone]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

Yes, both my dh and myself plan on wearing business casual type clothes....For me, black pants with a white dressier top...dh is going to wear khaki's and a polo shirt...

NO JEWELRY! That's something we've already thought about.

My printer isn't working, otherwise I would print off my petition, just to be safe.

Our appt is at 2 pm central time....27 hours to go!! EEK!!

[Minnymouth]

Calm down, you are already thru the hard part............ the worry and problems before filing. Now that you've filed, its downhill the rest of the way till its over......

341 meetings are usually simple, to the point and very brief. All the Trustee does is verify that you are who you say you are and that the paperwork he's looking at is truthfull and the information is complete and all yours. Seldom does a creditor ever show up, so no worries there probably.

So you should be fine, relax, take it all in stride........ you'll understand what we mean when the meeting is over.....

Minny

[Stilltheone]

Calm down, you are already thru the hard part............ the worry and problems before filing. Now that you've filed, its downhill the rest of the way till its over......

341 meetings are usually simple, to the point and very brief. All the Trustee does is verify that you are who you say you are and that the paperwork he's looking at is truthfull and the information is complete and all yours. Seldom does a creditor ever show up, so no worries there probably.

So you should be fine, relax, take it all in stride........ you'll understand what we mean when the meeting is over.....

Minny

I know, I know...

my neighbor filed ch 7 over 10 years ago and she keeps telling me "It's really no big deal..."

I will just be glad when it's over and I am a member of the 60 day club.

Thanks again!

[my4devils]

We made plans to go get something to eat afterwards. It was nice to sit with my husband and have a little date and unwind from the 341. It gave us something to look forward to! Good Luck!!

[epiphany]

We made plans to go get something to eat afterwards. It was nice to sit with my husband and have a little date and unwind from the 341. It gave us something to look forward to! Good Luck!!

Hey, that's a good idea...I am going to make some plans for after my 341 too. I will treat myself to, um, well something!

ep

[epiphany]

Flad wrote:

And if you're like me and have a little knife/fingernail file on your keychain, leave that off too.

Ha, that reminds me. The last time I had jury duty I forgot that I had a big ol' honking can opener in my bag and I set off the metal detector. I was surprised they let me keep it...it is a heavy mother and could definitely take someone out if wielded expertly.

ep

[southernbelle]

All good advice from previous posters. Try to look at your petition online beforehand if your printer is broken to make sure you are familiar with what you submitted. Also, just get there early. I usually have the worst luck and didn't want to deal with a flat tire or something, so I got there an hour early and my atty. was already there.

Listening to all of the other cases before yours will calm you right down because you'll know what the Trustee will ask. It helped me and my case is kinda complicated. Still, I didn't have any problems and contrary to what I originally though, most Trustees are actually really nice. I know mine was.

I went home and changed into business casual attire, but there were people there in jeans and t-shirts. I didn't feel out of place though. If I were you I wouldn't wear jewlery. You don't want to attract unwanted attention.

You'll be fine. And good luck.

[epiphany]

If I were you I wouldn't wear jewlery. You don't want to attract unwanted attention.

I hear lots of people say this but my thinking (which could be wrong, though what are the chances of that? ) is that not wearing any jewelry could be a signal that you have something to hide. I am thinking moderate jewelry for my 341...no major bling....not that I have any major bling...but I do have a few things I definitely will not wear.

ep

[southernbelle]

I agree ep. Keep everything simple. If you have some non-blinging jewlery, wear that instead.

[Stilltheone]

My parents are watching the kids, so as soon as we're done, we need to get home....I think my parents will be about ready to pull their hair out after a few hours of watching the munchkins..LOL