To ensure each meeting of creditors runs smoothly, counsel, debtors, and creditors should familiarize themselves with the following guidelines, which are required of all parties.

Before the § 341 Meeting of Creditors:

1. Debtors, counsel, and creditors who intend to participate are to be at a quiet, set location, and not in transit, so that full attention can be given to the questions being asked.
2.  All parties will connect initially in MUTE and be placed in the waiting room.
3. Participants should test their connection to the meeting invitation link for the § 341 Meeting at least one day prior to the video conference. When connecting though the Zoom application, participants will click “Join Meeting.” If prompted for a Meeting ID, please enter the last 11 numbers from the invitation link, this will always represent the Meeting ID. All parties should update their screen name to include full name (first and last). Creditors wishing to appear should identify reflect the case number in their screen name or submit a Request to Attend 341 Meeting to be allowed into the appropriate meetings of creditors. Upon testing the connection, participants will receive a message indicating “Waiting for the host to start this meeting.” This successfully completes the test.
4. Participants must have the invitation link, case number, and government issued identification (for debtors) readily available prior to joining the meeting.
5. If the debtor does not have video access, please submit a Request to Excuse Video Conference Appearance at least seven days prior to the § 341 meeting. The Bankruptcy Administrator will respond with information on attending by telephone only or with instructions to attend in person.

Joining the § 341 Meeting of Creditors:

1. Please use the meeting invitation link provided. As noted above, participants should update their screen name as necessary so the Trustee can see both first name and last name, which allows the Trustee to determine which participants to invite into the meeting from the virtual waiting room. For example, when joining from an iPhone, the screen name will automatically populate with “John’s iPhone.” In this instance, the screen name should be updated to include full name (first and last name).
2. If the Trustee has not yet joined the conference, participants will receive a message indicating “Waiting for the host to start this meeting.” Once the Trustee starts the meeting, all participants will join the video conference on MUTE in the virtual waiting room. Participants will see a message indicating “Please wait, the Trustee will let you in shortly.” There is no audio available in the virtual waiting room.
3. When the Trustee calls a case, the Trustee will move participants into the video meeting room.
4. You will be prompted to join audio either “Call Over Internet” or “Dial in.” Please select “Call Over Internet,” which will automatically connect your audio, provided your internet service is sufficient. If you select “Dial In,” you will select either number to dial, the audio will request a Meeting ID and Participant ID; however, if connecting on a cell phone, the system will enter these for you (after a brief pause) and you DO NOT need to enter either. Once the phone connects, you will receive a message indicating “you are in the meeting now” and you should stay connected and join the video portion of the Zoom meeting.
5. Speak clearly and hold the camera steady. Limit all background noise while your meeting is being held.
6. Be mindful of your background. For best results, make sure a source of light is in front of you and close any blinds on windows behind you.
7. Only debtors and their counsel as well as creditors or interested parties will be allowed on the connection; i.e., no “moral support” or supplementary answers to be provided by friends or family.

The Bankruptcy Administrator will be recording the videoconference continuously.

At each attorney’s discretion, the debtor may connect to the 341 meeting separately or appear from your office. Technical difficulties will be excused and cases continued if need be, but please assist your clients in being prepared to attend.  

At the trustee’s discretion, the 341 meeting may be continued to either an in-person 341 meeting or a subsequent videoconference meeting.