When a chapter 13 bankruptcy is filed the court automatically schedules two hearings. The first is a meeting of creditors. The debtors are required to attend this meeting with the chapter 13 trustee and their attorney. Creditors are invited to come but they rarely do. The other hearing is the confirmation hearing. The debtors' do not have to attend this hearing but their attorney does. In New Jersey the hearing will take place at the Federal courthouse in Camden NJ, Trenton NJ or Newark NJ. The purpose of the hearing is to have the court approve the chapter 13 plan regarding repayment to creditors. Often the confirmation hearing will need to be adjourned to address the claims filed or other issues raised by the trustee. Except in unusual or complicated matters if the Chapter 13 trustee is satisfied with the plan and objections have been addressed the trustee will recommend confirmation and the judge will enter an order approving the chapter 13 plan
Tips when attending the Bankruptcy meeting with Creditors
Whether an individual files a Chapter 13 bankruptcy or a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they will be required to attend a meeting with a trustee. Although creditors are also invited they rarely attend. In southern New Jersey the Chapter 13 meetings take place in either Cherry Hill NJ or Robbinsville NJ. For Chapter 7 the meeting will be in either Camden NJ or Trenton NJ. When you attend you should:
1. Arrive early. This will give you a chance to review your case with your lawyer and listen to the trustee ask other people questions that he/she will also ask you.
what is a chapter 13 confirmation hearing and does the debtor have to attend.
When a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is filed in New Jersey a notice is sent by the court to schedule two hearings. The first is the meeting with the trustee that the debtors and their attorneys must attend. Creditors are also invited but rarely attend. The other hearing scheduled is the Confirmation Hearing. Typically only the attorney attends although occasionally the debtors will need to attend. In New Jersey the hearing will take place in Camden NJ, in Trenton NJ, or in Newark NJ. The hearing is to determine whether the court will approve the Chapter 13 plan that was filed. The trustee will consider the amount of the claims filed by the creditors, the income of the debtors, the equity in the assets of the debtors and the feasibility of the plan to determine whether or not to recommend confirmation to the judge. It is important that payments are made each month leading up to the confirmation so that the trustee can see you actually have the ability to make payments. Once the case is confirmed the creditors and the debtors are bound by the plan.
