WHAT IS A TRUSTEE?
PHIA uses the term “trustee” to refer to the persons and organizations who are bound by the act. They are called trustees because they hold your information “in trust” for you. Some examples of trustees are health professionals, hospitals, personal care homes, community health centres, medical clinics, ambulance services, laboratories, regional health authorities, and public bodies such as government departments, crown corporations and school divisions.
A trustee is a person who works with the court to administer bankruptcy cases. The trustee does not represent the debtor (you) or any individual creditor and cannot give legal advice. Rather, the trustee has independent rights and duties that are set forth in the Bankruptcy Code sections 323, 327, 341, 343, 345, 363, 364, 365, 704 (chapter 7 cases) and 1302 (chapter 13 cases). In a chapter 7 case, the trustee may take possession of your assets, sell them, and distribute the proceeds to creditors. In a chapter 13 case, the trustee administers your plan of payment, collects the funds, and pays the creditors. The trustee will also oversee the first meeting of creditors.
