Meeting with

[edwards2]

Has anyone had to have a one on one with the U.S. Trustee? We have been told they are going to take depositions tomorrow. Long story short we had to submit additional paperwork and now this. Another client in our lawyer's law firm has to do it as well. In fact there are a number of people who will be doing this tomorrow. I wondered what is the point of doing this? Is it an effort to trip us up in some way? We havent lied so that would be futile. Or they trying to put a face with the paperwork or have our testimony recorded for a possible court date as in appeal if she tries to convert us? Just wondered. I hate being blindsided and all my attorney does is yell at me for being so stressed. Thanks.

[HHM]

Generally, the request for additional documents is accompanied by a setting of a 2004 Exam (that is what it is called, basically a deposition). In short, yes, it is designed to trip you up and clarify your situation.

[edwards2]

Thanks for the info. It was what I suspected. We were told it would last about an hour to an hour and a half and to keep our answers brief. No problem with my husband - his are always brief but me I will have to keep my emotions intact. Our situation was and still is compelling to say the least. Our lawyer is not worried; he thinks this is just a formality. I sure hope he is right. By the way is the trustee the only one who asks you questions? One final question - are they trying to trip you up on the paperwork you turned in? We had to submit a narrative too basically explaining how we got where we are.

[babycakes]

I've been deposed before, but not in BK court. It was a medical case against where I worked. Just tell the truth, keep your answers to yes and no, if possible, and short and sweet is the best. You don't want to give him any rope to hang you with. Lots of deep breaths. Try to stay calm, I know not easy. I was terrified too, but it ended up being not that bad. It was like a job interview, they ask, you answer, they ask another, you answer, that was it. It was over before I knew it even. You have extenuating circumstances and I think you'll be just fine. They just want to hear your side. Now's your chance to tell it. Wear something comfortable, so you won't be too fidgety, pulling at clothes and all; a light meal, to combat nausea without any stomach grumblings (if you have a nervous stomach like me , small mints are good for dry mouth.....and most important, remember to BREATHE. Breathing out, nice and long breaths will help with the nerves too. People tend to breathe in a lot when nervous, but forget to let that breath out and that's where the calming effect is, letting it out. Good luck!

[edwards2]

Thanks babycakes. I am a virtual nervous wreck. I feel like we are going in front of a firing squad. My lawyer's secy who has talked with the trustee on a number of occasions says she doesnt come across like the gruff type(not to her...duh). The optimism my lawyer has doesnt make me feel warm and fuzzy. He doesnt have much, if any, of a bedside manner and has done nothing to prep us for tomorrow but he still feels this is just a formality. At least tell us basically what he anticipates they will ask. I am not Pollyanna I know he cant know for sure but he has been through this drill. Yes we do have extenuating circumstances; I am praying that will tip the scale in our favor. Thanks for your support.

[edwards2]

2004 Exam

Gang I am back! The meeting went extremely well. It was an informal setting and the trustee was very nice and informal. There was no court recorder. She did tape the meeting. She asked some questions; a few we didnt anticipate but we were able to explain and one question in particular we were expecting she didnt ask at all. She asked questions from our bank statement about specific checks and why my son was in a private school. She was very "laid back" yet professional. I was pleasantly surprised. I had brought additional bank statements we had to order with me but she said she didnt need them. She left us with we had been through enough; she didnt want to see us anymore and wished us the best of luck. I am so relieved I cannot tell you. I thought I was going to hurl right before the meeting but her assistant was so friendly I managed to relax. I am never early for anything but I was an hour early for the hearing. Anyway it is a wonderful feeling the impending thrill of victory...beats the agony of defeat. Thanks again to all of you for your support and info. Our attorney also said I did a great job. I think I can finally breathe...

[Autumn]

edwars2,

THAT'S WONDERFUL! I'm so happy for you! I can only imagine the relief you must be feeling. Celebrate! Do something nice for yourself. You certainly deserve it!

I've been thinking about you, wondering how things had gone. Every hour or so, I kept checking the posts here to see if you had reported in with an update. Now you can relax and begin to enjoy your fresh start.

Take care and thanks for keeping all of us updated.

[HHM]

Glad it well for you, hopefully the only thing left for you is to receive your discharge.

[Miyamoto]

edwards2 - That is great news. I sent you a PM last night wondering if you were the same user from the forums that broke at chat-cards. What I read here led me to believe so and if you are I was following your story over there and am relieved to hear that your meeting went so well. Today was the big day for me also with my 341 this afternoon which seemed to have gone alright, so cheers! It appears we both have something to be relieved and happy about today. I usually run a bit late myself, but got there about 25 minutes early to get a feel for things, though I was a bit worried as the trustee was seeming to get frustrated with a few cases and I never like dealing with the aftermath of instances like that. I wish you well with the rest of your wait for a discharge and on recovering from all of this.

[edwards2]

You guys are the greatest! Thanks so much AGAIN for your support and for caring. I followed the advice of several of you and took my time with my answers and took long, deep breaths. It helped a lot. I was so relieved when the room was not intimidating. I had anticipated a courtroom type setting but it was an office with a conference table, chairs and some boxes. She told us the reason she objected to our discharge was based on what they allow for private school tuition and ours was over the limit. I think it helped that her son went to the same school and knew some of the same faculty and counselors. I had already heard through the legal grapevine that the judge assigned to our case was one of the best for BKs so I also had that in the back of my mind. Our attorney thinks she will just let the extended objection time pass. By the way I miss that other forum too. What happened to it?

Miyamoto - I am so glad your 341 went well too. I had already heard from veterans on this forum that it was not as ominous as we imagined and they were right. This forum is truly the therapy you need when you are going through the process. I will keep on posting; maybe I can in some small way help someone else through it. It's not over until its over....discharge and closure but I am confident mine is coming and yours will too. Keep us posted.

[mymymy]

WooHoo Diane! I knew you would do just fine! Proud of ya! LOL.. Makes me happy to hear the news.

And, I got discharged yesterday! So, I'm really beaming today. ;)

[edwards2]

mymymy - thanks girl and congrats to you too!

[Miyamoto]

edwards2 - According to this post: http://bankruptcy-forum.com/messages/518.html that site occasionally breaks down and it is a while before it gets fixed. As long as I can have some spare time I plan on hanging around the bankruptcy forums in the hopes I can be of help and repay the favor. It truly is a great help and I'm sure my lawyer would appreciate it too if he knew it saved him from being pestered much. The support is great and in my case it has helped me from feeling the urge to let anyone else in on what is going on when I feel the urge to talk about it. I'm hoping to keep this as quiet as possible and so far with the help of the forums it has been working. My only worry was my grandparents seeing a notice in the paper since they read just about every word and my lawyer said they still publish it here, but so far I haven't heard a peep.

mymymy - Congrats on the discharge!

[Minnymouth]

I'M SO JEALOUS..................You Guys are All Discharged and finishing up.

And see how quick it went!!!! On with a "new life"......

AND HERE I STILL SIT - 'WAITING"........

CONGRADULATIONS FOLKS!!!! Maybe someday in the future - they will settle mine too..............

Minny - (14 months and still waiting)

[mymymy]

Quick? LOL.. it felt like an eternity! I can't even imagine how you feel.. must feel like a lifetime, by now.

Keep the faith, Minny.. it will all work out and will be over soon!