341 Meeting question - overview

[dmg]

I heard that I really shouldn't worry about the 341 meeting with the trustee, but the unknown always worries me. A lot of what I read here states that it only took a few minutes. Could you please let me know what your experience was. When your meeting was scheduled, when you saw the trustee, how long it took, did he/she ask any questions, after the questions, were you able to leave immediately?

I'm asking these questions for two reasons. First, like I stated above, the unknown is scary. The second reason is that my daughter is in Pre-K until 11:30am, but our meeting is at 10:30am. We don't have any family around and I'm not sure what to do with her. I didn't think it would be best to take her to Court with us, but I have to pick her up at 11:30am. We are looking into what the best course of action will be regarding this. I'm trying to figure out the time frame. If it won't take long, then I could just talk to the school and say that we may be a few minutes late.

I heard that the meeting is like traffic court, although I've never been to traffic court. From what I was told, there are several people in for the same reason. Does everyone have the same meeting time and then just wait their turn?

Thanks for any information!!

- Debbie

[davidb81]

at my 341 there were several people with kids. Whatever you do dont miss that meeting! yes everyone gets their own turn at the meeting but you wont know when your turn is until you get there. So you must reserve the entire hour for the meeting.

[dmg]

I would definately not miss the meeting. Actually, until 2 weeks ago, I actually worked in the Court system. I became a stay-at-home mom on August 1st. I'm just trying to work everything out before the meeting.

[Confusdnfl]

I just had my meeting the other day. We arrived early(our 341 meeting was 2 hrs. away) and listened to the other cases. Also, it's hard to find a parking space or parking area sometimes, so be early. It took us about 10 mins. to walk from the parking area to the courthouse. In the courthouse we had to go through security and no cell phones at all were allowed and of course no nail clippers, scissors, etc... If you had any of these things you had to walk all the way back out to your car and leave them. I only took in my keys, SS card and driver's license. My 341 was only a few mins. behind schedule and I was at the table with the trustee for a total of 2 mins. After that you leave. I was nervous when I first got there but after watching the other 341s I was put at ease as I saw how fast they were. I gave a review of my 341 last week on this forum if you want to go back and read it. Good Luck!!

[amid]

Ours was at 2:30. We arrived at 2. Had to leave our PDA and cell phones at the door. We listened to the ones before us. We had one that took 30 minutes so we didn't get our turn until about 3:45. It was there second one and the trustee was discussing ways to help out. While most took less than 5 minutes you never know who might take longer. I would just take your child just to make sure.

[dmg]

I would just take your child just to make sure.

You don't think it would appear bad to have a child with us? She's 4 years old, so I'm not sure how it would be. I was thinking about discussing that my husband and I have an appointment with her school to see if she could stay longer and how much it would cost me.

It would be easier and cheaper to bring her with us, but I didn't know how it would appear. She's good 70% of the time, but there's no guarantee on when that 70% happens.

[HHM]

I suppose it depends on the trustee, but I would think its a bad idea to bring any children with you. I know where I am, they specifically say, no children. And honestly, I don't think bankruptcy is something you should be sharing with your kids anyway.

And yes, generally there can be upwards of 10 to 15 debtors scheduled to appear during the same time (usually its by one hour blocks)

[kansascitylady]

I had mine last week. They just asked for my name, address, if i signed the papers, if all is true to my knowledge. Then they said thank you you may go now. Lasted like 2 minutes

[poor1]

BOY I SURE HOPE MINE GOES AS WELL!!! i will keep you all updated on mine, i go on the 23rd this month!!! i am almost there!!!

[edwards2]

At our 341 there were NO kids. I agree with HHM I dont think BK court is an appropriate place for a child. There is no way to know for sure how long you will be there because obviously you dont know how many are before you and how long they will take. At our meeting they took filers in the alpha order according to your attorney's name. We were not there long either but there was a couple in front of us who had a lot of assets and were on the hot seat for about 30 minutes. They have a creditor show up as well who quizzed them. You will be a nervous wreck if you count on getting out of there in time to pick up your child. If you absolutely cannot find anyone to keep her then maybe you can loiter around outside the courtroom until they start calling names. Good luck...