Glossary term
341 Meeting
Short answer
The 341 meeting — named for section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code and also called the meeting of creditors — is a required appointment in every bankruptcy case where the trustee questions the filer under oath about their petition, debts, and property.
Why it matters
Despite the intimidating name, it is usually a short administrative session, often under ten minutes, held in a meeting room or by video rather than a courtroom. There's no judge. Creditors are invited and may ask questions, but in consumer cases they rarely show up. What actually matters: bring government-issued photo ID and proof of your Social Security number (without them the meeting is typically rescheduled), provide any documents the trustee requested, and answer truthfully — the testimony is under penalty of perjury, and honest corrections beat confident guesses. The trustee is verifying the paperwork, not prosecuting the filer.
Example
About a month after filing Chapter 7, Priya attends her 341 meeting by video. She holds up her driver's license and Social Security card, confirms she read and signed her petition, and answers standard questions — has she listed all assets, filed her tax returns, transferred any property recently. Eight minutes later it's over, and her case moves on toward discharge.
Terms used on this page
Guides that use this term
- The 341 Meeting of Creditors: What Actually HappensWhat the 341 meeting really is — a short administrative meeting with the trustee, not a trial. Typical questions, what to bring, and how to prepare calmly.
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, ExplainedHow Chapter 7 bankruptcy generally works — eligibility and the means test, the process from credit counseling to discharge, exemptions, costs, and credit impact.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, ExplainedHow Chapter 13 bankruptcy generally works — the 3–5 year repayment plan, who typically uses it, foreclosure protection, costs, completion realities, and credit impact.
Sources
This page is based on the following official and authoritative sources. Always check the source itself for the most current rules.
Educational information — not advice
This topic involves court deadlines and rights you can permanently lose.
This page provides general educational information about credit, debt, and consumer protections. It is not legal advice, financial advice, or credit repair services, and reading it does not create any professional relationship. Laws, procedures, deadlines, and dollar amounts vary by state and change over time.
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