One of the primary fears debtors face when filing bankruptcy is the feeling of being “judged.” However, it is common for an individual to go through his/her entire Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case without ever seeing a judge! Chapter 11 cases are often more complex, so an individual in a Chapter 11 case is more likely to appear before the judge assigned to his/her case. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are administered by an appointed trustee unless significant issues arise that warrant appearing before a judge.
A Chapter 7 case is administered by a Panel Trustee, who is typically a local attorney or accountant. The Chapter 7 trustee handles many tasks, including questioning the debtor at the Meeting of Creditors, investigating the debtor’s assets, and reviewing the debtor’s claimed exemptions.
The Chapter 13 trustee reviews a debtor’s repayment plan to ensure it is feasible and disperses the payments to creditors according to the terms of the plan.
Please keep in mind that every case is different. If you have questions about filing personal bankruptcy or about the role that our local trustees will play in your case, and you would like to schedule a no-cost consultation, please contact our office by completing the form on this website or calling us at 954-466-0541.
