The 341(a) Meeting of Creditors:
What to expect at your Chapter 7 hearing
in Akron or Cleveland, Ohio.

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At least 21 days after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy but no later than 40 days after you file, you’re required to attend the meeting of creditors, called the 341 meeting. The 341 meeting of creditors is mandatory and your case will be dismissed if you do not go.

341 Meeting of Creditors Locations:

Akron 341(a) Meeting Room Location:
First Energy Building
76 South Main Street
Room 120, Plaza/Atrium Level
Akron, OH 44308

Cleveland 341(a) Meeting Room Location:
Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse
201 Superior Avenue East
6th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114

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About the 341 meeting of creditors:

It’s not as bad as it sounds.

It doesn’t even take place in a court room. Your 341 meeting of creditors will take place in a small room that looks and feels just like an office. You will wait for your turn among other bankruptcy filers in a waiting room outside the Trustees office. When it’s your turn, you and Dean Paolucci, your bankruptcy attorney will go into a small office-like room with the Chapter 7 bankruptcy Trustee. The Trustee will conduct the meeting and ask a few questions about the information you provided in your Bankruptcy petition. The whole meeting will last 5-15 minutes.

Creditors usually do not show up for the 341 meeting. It’s very unlikely the creditor will have any chance to get paid from your bankruptcy case, so it’s not worth it to creditors to send a representative, it’d be a waste of time.

The Trustee won’t ask any trick questions, just straight-forward questions about the information you provided, such as income, expenses, why you filed, etc. Just be open and honest. Remember the Chapter 7 Trustee talks with hundreds of bankruptcy filers a week, it’s nothing to be ashamed of and they’ve heard and seen it all!

Within 45 days of your 341 meeting, your debtors education certificate is required to be submitted.

You should receive your discharge of debts in about 90 days after your 341 meeting of creditors.

Read about Chapter 13 meeting of creditors.