Section 341 Meeting of Creditors Information

Pursuant to its authority under 11 U.S.C. §§ 341(a) and 343, Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2003, and other authorities, the U.S. Trustee Program (“USTP”) will implement virtual section 341 meetings of creditors (“341 meetings”) via Zoom for all chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases in all USTP jurisdictions.

These virtual 341 meetings via Zoom will be implemented on a rolling basis through early 2024. Debtors and other interested parties should follow the instructions provided in the 341 meeting notice they receive from the court, as well as additional instructions provided by the trustee assigned to the debtor’s case, to determine the proper procedures for connecting to the meeting. Please refer to each district’s USTP Local 341 Meeting Information page (which appears below).

The USTP’s transition to video 341 meetings will foster greater participation, result in substantial cost and time efficiencies for debtors and creditors, and better ensure the efficiency and integrity of the bankruptcy system. Once implemented, the U.S. Trustee may approve alternative arrangements for 341 meetings when extenuating circumstances exist that preclude a debtor’s attendance by video. In addition, in rare cases, the U.S. Trustee may determine that an in-person 341 meeting is necessary.

For more, please see The Transition to Virtual § 341 Meetings: Lessons Learned, and Looking Ahead, published in the January 2024 edition of the American Bankruptcy Institute Journal.

Virtual 341 Meeting Information for Debtors, Debtors’ Attorneys, and Other Parties in Interest:

Prior to the 341 meeting, please read the Instructions for Joining a Zoom § 341(a) Meeting of Creditors.

At least 14 days prior to the 341 meeting, or within another timeframe requested by the trustee, the debtor or the debtor’s attorney, if represented, should send to the trustee in a safe and secure manner:

Personal Identification

• A clear copy of (1) a government-issued photo identification of the debtor and (2) evidence of the debtor’s Social Security number (“ID documents”) or a written statement that the debtor has no Social Security number. For a list of acceptable ID documents, click here.

Financial Information

• Evidence of current income, such as the most recent payment advice.
• Unless the trustee or the United States trustee instructs otherwise, statements for each of the debtor's depository and investment accounts, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, mutual funds and brokerage accounts for the time period that includes the date of the filing of the petition.
• Documentation of monthly expenses claimed by the debtor if required by 11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(2)(A) or (B). These include additional food and clothing expense up to 5 percent of the IRS National Standard allowance for those categories; education expenses for dependent children less than 18 years of age; home energy costs that exceed the IRS Local Standard allowance; and expenses that support a claim of special circumstances.

Note: If the documentation does not exist or is not in your possession, please provide a written statement indicating such.

Tax Return

• At least 7 days before the first date set for the 341 meeting, provide a copy of the debtor's federal income tax return for the most recent tax year ending immediately before the commencement of the case and for which a return was filed, including any attachments, or a transcript of the tax return, or provide a written statement that the documentation does not exist.

These items are in addition to any other documents requested by the trustee.

Additional Resources

• Bankruptcy Information Sheet
• Best Practices for Debtors, Debtors’ Attorneys, and Other Parties in Interest for Attending Virtual § 341(a) Meetings of Creditors in Chapter 7, 12, and 13 Cases
• Declaration Regarding Administration of Oath and Confirmation of Identity & Social Security Number (to be used in the rare instance when a 341 meeting must be held telephonically or by interrogatories)
• Trustee Contact Information

Notice Regarding Debtor Education Requirement:

Debtor education ("DE") is a course that debtors must complete to receive a bankruptcy discharge, with limited exceptions. Individual debtors must complete DE after filing for bankruptcy. DE is different than the credit counseling course that must be taken before bankruptcy. To find a DE provider or obtain more information about DE, click here.

Local 341 Meeting Information for Debtors, Debtors’ Attorneys, and Other Parties in Interest:

Until virtual section 341 meetings are implemented in your district, meetings will generally proceed in the same manner as set forth in the original 341 meeting notices issued by the courts. Debtors and other interested parties should follow the instructions in these notices and any further instructions provided by the trustee assigned to the case. As each district implements virtual section 341 meetings, the district’s Local 341 Meeting Information page will be updated with an effective date and trustees’ Zoom meeting information including Meeting IDs, Passcodes, dedicated phone numbers, and meeting links.

To go to your Local 341 Meeting Information page, click the appropriate link below:

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NOTE: Bankruptcy cases in Alabama and North Carolina are not under the jurisdiction of the United States Trustee Program. Questions regarding bankruptcy cases filed in the six judicial districts in those states should be directed to the Bankruptcy Administrator for the district where the case is pending. Contact information for the Bankruptcy Administrators is available on the federal judiciary's website at http://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/trustees-and-administrators.