Will I Have To Go To Court?  

You will have to make a brief court appearance, about 4 to 6 weeks after your papers are filed. This is not a court like others you have been in, or seen on TV - there is no judge, no jury, and generally no cross-examination by lawyers. You, your attorney, and the court appointed trustee will be seated around a table. He will ask you a few questions based on the paperwork you have already submitted.

The questions are usually simple and easy. If your paperwork is accurate, there is simply no reason for you to lose sleep or be stressed out over the court appearance. In typical cases, it will take no longer than 3 to 5 minutes once your name is called. (You may have to wait awhile for them to reach your case.) It will be a large room and there will be other people present - but most of them will be people who are there for the same reason you are!

Your creditors have the right to be there, but most of the time, they don't bother. Your court appearance in a Chapter 13 or Bankruptcy case is a necessary formality, but is generally nothing for you to be worried over.

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