Does the debtor have to appear in court after filing for bankruptcy?
All debtors are generally required to appear at a meeting of creditors (also known as a 341 meeting) 20-40 days after their petition is filed. At the meeting a court appointed trustee will question the debtor in order to determine if the debtor was truthful on his petition and schedules. In chapter 7 cases the trustee will also be attempting to determine if liquidation of the debtor’s assets is appropriate among other things. In chapter 13 cases the trustee is often concerned with whether the debtor’s plan of reorganization complies with the applicable provisions of the bankruptcy code. There are situations where it is necessary to appear before a bankruptcy judge.
