– Bret Nason, Lancaster, Wisconsin bankruptcy attorney

More bankruptcy questions? Check our our FAQ page.

MeetingThis page contains general information. Contact a WBG attorney for specific advice.

As your bankruptcy attorney will tell you, you will need to attend a 341 Meeting after filing your case. The 341 Meeting is basically shorthand for the First Meeting of Creditors required by Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code.

The 341 Meeting is a short meeting with the trustee handling your case. Your attorney should also appear with you. It is not a court hearing and it is not held in front of a judge, although you will be required to swear that you will tell the truth. Your presence is required at the meeting, and an unexcused absence may result in your case being dismissed. Wisconsin 341 meetings take place in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Kenosha, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Superior, and Wausau.

Schedules vary, but most 341 Meetings in Wisconsin are held 4-8 weeks after the case is filed. Your attorney should give you plenty of advance notice so you can take time off work or arrange for childcare. In most cases, the meeting will take no more than 15 minutes. The trustee will ask several yes/no questions and you’ll answer truthfully. Most of the questions will be identical to the questions your attorney asked you before filing the case. The questions will concern your assets, debts, and other matters relating to your finances. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your discharge will be entered no sooner than 60 days after your meeting has been concluded.

While many people get nervous about their 341 meeting, it’s really nothing to worry about. As long as you were honest with your attorney and in the papers you filed, everything should go smoothly. The trustee isn’t trying to trick you into making a mistake. He or she simply wants to confirm that you were being truthful when you filed your paperwork. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming 341 Meeting, contact your lawyer.

More bankruptcy questions? Check our our FAQ page.

This page contains general information. Contact a WBG attorney for specific advice.
Wisconsin Bankruptcy Guide is provided by law firms designated as Debt Relief Agencies by the federal government because we help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. We also provide other types of debt relief options.

Image Credit: flickr/KOMUnews

Share This