do you have to get up in front of a bunch of people

When we had our court date, we had to go in a room and there were some tables in the front and there were lots of other people in the room. We were called case by case and yes, everyone that had not already been called was in the room. Now different places may do things differently, but I know for us, there were other people in the room. I was suprised to see how business like a lot of thses people looked, but there was also some people that looked like, well, I just won't say. If there is other people there, just know they all have to go through the same thing you are going through. It really isn't that bad.

What other meeting? Are you filing Chapter 13? Do you mean the confirmation hearing?

For a Chapter 7, the only time you go to court is for the 341 meeting of creditors. Unless there is some adversary hearing or something extra that is situation related.

We did not have to go the first time when the creditors were there, but we had to go a second time, I guess just to verify everything, like this is who we are, this is where we live, blah, blah blah, but each state might be just a little different in how they approach things.

The laws are federal now, so each state should be the same. :D

It's the chapters that are different . . . The debtor is required to go to the 341 meeting, a lawyer cannot speak for the debtor.

i must have missed something. i thought when you filed chapter 7 you go to a 341 meeting, and then after that go to a bankruptcy court where the judge decides.

When I filed Chapter 7 I only had to go to one meeting. It was just like what 2nbad described. I was in a room with a few others who filed and waited my turn...when my turn came it lasted probably 2 minutes.

Nope. Just the 341 meeting . . . . You get the notice of discharge in the mail. You never go before a judge at all . . . . Just the trustee at the 341 meeting. That's the only court like appearance you make in a Chapter 7, unless there is an adversary proceeding or other issue that must be looked at by the courts.

Don't worry or be embarrassed everyone there is there for one purpose only. Good luck I have been there and you feel very relieved when it is over and like it ws stated it lasts about 2 minutes is all.

Yeah, it's usually pretty short.

When I went to mine, there was not many other people in the room.

And - All the other people in the room are debtors too, waiting for their turn in front of the trustee. Or occasionally there is the rare creditor.