This advice is given as of the date of publication, is intended for debtors filing in the Eastern District of Missouri (in the following counties: Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Lincoln, Maries, Phelps, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Ste. Genevieve, Warren and Washington Counties) and is subject to change by the Bankruptcy Court at any time.
What is needed prior to filing
- The last filed tax returns (federal and state) that you filed.
- Paycheck advices (usually called paystubs) for the 6 months prior to the filing of your case. Remember if it takes a while to get your case filed for any reason, keep up with all your future pay advices in order to give them to your attorney.
- A certificate of credit counseling through an approved agency. For a list of approved counselors you may go to www.moeb.uscourts.gov. Once you get the site, click on Bankruptcy Reform Information the 8th item down on the list on the left side of the page and then among other information, you will see near the top a place to click to find the approved credit counselors.
What is needed between filing and 341 Meeting of Creditors
- Tax returns and payroll advices if not already provided to your attorney.
- Make sure if you file your case "pro se", that is without an attorney that you mail to your Trustee a full set of Bankruptcy schedules signed by you, 60 days of pay advices and your last filed tax return. They need this information approximately 2 weeks prior to the Court hearing.
What is needed at Court
- Proof of I.D. — Usually your driver's license, but any government issued form of I.D. will be accepted.
- Proof of Social Security Number — The Social Security Card is best but most Trustees will accept a w-2 or a health card with your social security number on it. Most trustees WILL NOT accept a tax return as proof and most paycheck stubs will only contain the final 4 digits of the social security number.
- A bank statement for each bank account that was open at the time of the filing of the case. The Trustee needs the statement that you receive between filing and the Court Date.
- Sometimes cases that appear to be "close call" regarding eligibility between chapter 7 and chapter 13 will gain the attention of the US Trustee, and the UST may send a letter or e-mail to the debtor's counsel in advance of Court to try to evaluate the case prior to court. If your attorney sends you a request for additional information, do your best to get together all those items as soon as possible.
What is needed after the 341 Meeting of Creditors
- Any item requested by the Trustee in your case. Your Trustee may ask for additional information at court and you should try to get together those items within a week after the court date and to give those items to your attorney.
- Any item requested by the US Trustee who supervises the activity of the appointed Trustee.
- To complete the 2nd credit counseling class called the "Financial Management" class. And to provide to your attorney a copy of the certificate as soon as possible after the filing of the case.
- Any item ordered by the Judge in your case.
