FAQ - 341 Meetings of Creditors

1. What is a section 341 meeting of creditors?
2. Where is the section 341 meeting of creditors held?
3. What should I bring to the 341 meeting?       
4. How do I find out who the trustee is in a case?
5. What if I cannot attend my 341 meeting?
6. What if I missed my 341 meeting?
7. Are co-debtors required to be at the 341 meeting?
8. What if I don't speak English?
9. In the event of inclement weather, will I still need to appear at my 341 meeting?

1. What is a section 341(a) meeting of creditors?

Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code requires that every debtor personally attend a meeting of creditors (sometimes also called “341 meeting” or “creditors meeting”) and answer questions under oath. Meetings of creditors usually are conducted between 21 and 60 days after the petition is filed and are held at a number of locations throughout the district. The case trustee appointed by the United States Trustee presides at the meeting of creditors. The meeting is recorded, and the trustee will place you under oath and ask you questions about your bankruptcy documents, property, debts, financial condition and other matters. This information enables the trustee to understand your circumstances and decide if there are assets that could be liquidated for the benefit of your creditors.

Your creditors are notified that they may attend the meeting of creditors and question you about your assets and any other matter relevant to the administration of the case. However, creditors rarely attend these meetings and are not considered to have waived any of their rights if they do not appear.

The meeting usually lasts less than ten minutes but may be continued if the trustee is not satisfied with the information you provide or if the trustee or others need more time to review your financial circumstances and question you about them.  If you fail to appear or fail to provide the information requested at the meeting, the trustee may request that the bankruptcy case be dismissed or that you be ordered by the court to cooperate.

2. Where is the section 341(a) meeting of creditors held?

The U.S. Trustee Program has extended the requirement that section 341 meetings be conducted by telephone or video appearance to all cases filed during the period of the President's "Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak" issued March 13, 2020, and ending on the date that is 60 days after such declaration terminates. However, the U.S. Trustee may approve a request by a trustee in a particular case to continue the section 341 meeting to an in-person meeting in a manner that complies with local public health guidance, if the U.S. Trustee determines that an in-person examination of the debtor is required to ensure the completeness of the meeting or the protection of estate property. This policy may be revised at the discretion of the Director of the United States Trustee Program.  In the event an in-person examination is required, the location is set below.

3. What should I bring to the 341 meeting?   

• Debtors are required to bring both Picture ID and Proof of Social Security number to their 341 meeting.
• Your case number.
• If you are attending your 341 meeting at the courthouse in Seattle or Tacoma and plan to make a filing fee payment on your case,you can make online payments, or bring a money order or certified funds to the Clerk's office. Cash, credit cards, debit cards, bill bay checks and personal checks are not acceptable forms of payment.

4. How do I find out who the trustee is in a case?

• The trustee’s name and address is printed on the first notice the court sends out, the Notice of the §341(a) Meeting of Creditors. The trustee's contact information is also available from the following sources:
• McVCIS (Multi Court Voice Case Information Service) - an automated information service available 24 hours a day from any touch-tone telephone by calling 1-866-222-8029. To connect to our court, say "Washington Western". You can obtain case information following the instructions given by using the numbers on the keypad of your telephone.
• PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) - Access to a mirror image of the court’s database from your personal computer which is available 24 hours a day via the internet. You must sign up for this service and there is a small fee. For more information visit their web site at http://www.pacer.gov or call the PACER Service Center at 1-800-676-6856.
• Computer terminals in the lobby of each office of the Clerk.
• By calling the court and speaking to a clerk during the court's office hours.

5. What if I cannot attend my 341 meeting?

The debtor, including each debtor in a joint case, is required to appear at the section 341 meeting of creditors. If a debtor needs to reschedule their meeting of creditors or request permission to appear other than in person, they should review Local Bankruptcy Rule 2003-1 and the Region 18 United States Trustee Policies for Rescheduling Meetings of Creditors and Allowing Debtor’s Appearance Other Than in Person  for complete information.

6. What if I missed my 341 meeting?

Chapter 7 and 13 debtors must contact the trustee assigned to their case as soon as possible and request the matter be continued. The trustee’s name and contact information may be found on the section 341 Meeting notice.

7. Are co-debtors required to be at the 341 meeting?

No.  Only debtors and joint debtors who are listed on the first page of the petition must attend the section 341 meeting.

8. What if I don't speak English?

The U.S. Trustee has a telephone interpreter service that debtors can use free of charge at their section 341 meeting. Debtor(s) who need a language interpreter for this purpose should contact the trustee assigned to their case. Debtors who need a sign language interpreter should contact the Office of the U.S. Trustee at 206-553-2000 to make arrangements.

The bankruptcy court will only pay for a language interpreter if the United States initiates the court proceeding. In all other cases, a party needing an interpreter is responsible for obtaining an interpreter and for payment of the interpreter's fees and expenses. An exception is when a party, witness, or other participant in a judicial proceeding needs a sign language interpreter. In that instance, the bankruptcy court will provide and pay for a sign language interpreter or provide an auxiliary aid or service, or an assistive listening device to a person who is deaf, hearing impaired or has other communications disabilities whether or not the proceeding is initiated by the United States. For more information about court certified interpreters call the Clerk's Office in Seattle at 206-370-5200, and in Tacoma at 253-882-3900.

9. In the event of inclement weather, will I still need to appear at my 341 meeting?

In the event of inclement weather resulting in the closing of court facilities, a Weather Notice will be posted on the court's website . For debtors scheduled to appear at 341 meetings in a facility that is closed, those hearings will be continued. Please contact the Clerk's Office in Seattle at 206-370-5200, or in Tacoma at 253-882-3900, for your new hearing date.  If the facility is opening late, please plan to appear as close to your scheduled time as possible.

If there is no Weather Notice on our website, you should assume that all facilities are open and operating on schedule.