The Bankruptcy Trustee
Find out what the bankruptcy trustee does in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
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When you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the United States Trustee will appoint a bankruptcy trustee to administer your case. The bankruptcy trustee's role varies depending on whether yours is a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case. But in both types of bankruptcy, the trustee will review your bankruptcy petition, look for fraud or red flags, and try to maximize the amount of money your unsecured creditors will get through your bankruptcy.
Below, bankruptcy expert and former Chapter 7 trustee, Patricia Dzikowski, explains the duties and powers of the bankruptcy trustee, discusses bankrupty trustee fees, and weighs in on how the trustee will act in certain situations. Because Patricia served as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for more than 15 years, her in-depth legal knowledge is enriched with real world experiences.
Overview Articles
Here's what the bankruptcy trustee will do in your Chapter 7 case.
Learn about the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee's duties in your bankruptcy case.
Learn about the role of the U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee in your bankruptcy case.
Articles on the Bankruptcy Trustee
Learn how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustees get paid.
The bankruptcy trustee can undo certain financial transactions that occurred prior to your bankruptcy filing. Learn more.
Here are some common methods for turning over personal property to the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee.
Here's how bankruptcy trustees investigate fraud, and what they'll do if they find it.
The bankruptcy trustee reviews your bankruptcy papers carefully to look for hidden assets, avoidable transfers, improper exemptions, and more.
Here's how the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee gets your money to your creditors.
Learn bout the 341 hearing and what to expect from the bankruptcy trustee at that meeting.
Common Questions About the Bankruptcy Trustee
The Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee represents the bankruptcy estate.
The bankruptcy trustee can object to your bankruptcy discharge, but only the court can deny your discharge.
If you paid back a debt to a relative or friend within one year of your bankruptcy, the trustee may try to get that money back. Here's what you can do if that happens.
If the bankruptcy trustee in your case is removed or resigns, a successor trustee takes over. Learn more.
Questions About the Bankruptcy Trustee & Your Property
The bankruptcy trustee can object to your claim of exemption, but only the court can deny your exemption claim.
Bankruptcy trustees are good at finding undisclosed property. And if you intentionally try to hide assets, you could face severe consequences.
The trustee can take nonexempt portions of a personal injury lawsuit or claim to pay your creditors in bankruptcy. Learn more.
It's likely that the bankruptcy trustee will take your tax refund. Here's why.
How Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustees handle tax refunds varies by district. Learn more.
For the most part, cash gifts you receive after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy are yours to keep. Learn the details.
Whether the bankruptcy trustee will take your bonus as part of the payment plan depends on a number of factors.
Learn about the sale process if the bankruptcy trustee sells your home in Chapter 7.
Questions About Communicating With Your Trustee
The bankruptcy trustee cannot provide legal advice, but might be able to answer a procedural question.
Usually, the bankruptcy trustee will not talk to you before the creditors meeting. But there are situations when you should contact your trustee right away.
Questions About Providing Information to the Trustee
You will have to provide documents to the bankruptcy trustee before the 341 hearing. Learn more.
You have a duty to cooperate with the bankruptcy trustee's reasonable requests. Here's what to do if you don't have requested documents.
Here's what to do if the bankruptcy trustee asks for credit applications that you don't have.
Learn when a bankruptcy trustee might request information after you case is closed, and what your obligations are.
Find out what tax documents you must provide to the trustee when you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
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File Your Own Chapter 7
This bestselling book provides all the forms and instructions you need to file your own Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
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This bestselling book provides all the forms and instructions you need to file your own Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
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Talk to a Lawyer
If you have a complicated case, want to file under Chapter 13, or are not comfortable doing it yourself, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer for advice.
If you have a complicated case, want to file under Chapter 13, or are not comfortable doing it yourself, talk to a bankruptcy lawyer for advice.
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