The Role of a Bankruptcy Trustee

 Posted on May 17, 2019 in Bankruptcy

Coming to the decision that your best option is to file for bankruptcy is not easy. You may have taken weeks, if not months to realize that your best option is bankruptcy. The bankruptcy process can be confusing because of all of the legalities and people involved with the process. When you file for bankruptcy, the United States Trustee Program will assign you a bankruptcy trustee who will be responsible for overseeing your case. The trustee is one of the most important people in your case, so it is crucial that you understand the role of the trustee and the impact the trustee can have on your case.

What Is a Bankruptcy Trustee?

The role of a trustee was created to prevent the creditors and courts from having to be the ones responsible for collecting and distributing the property of those who file for bankruptcy. Trustees are independent contractors who are not employees of the bankruptcy court, but they must answer to the court and cannot take any kind of action until the court approves it. The trustee will evaluate and make recommendations pertaining to the demands of different debtors involved in the specific bankruptcy case they are assigned to.

Role of the Bankruptcy Trustee

The role of a trustee differs based on the type of case they are assigned to. Most bankruptcy cases will be assigned a trustee, except for Chapter 11 reorganization plans and Chapter 9 municipality cases.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your trustee is responsible for a couple of different things. First, it is the trustee’s job to make sure your bankruptcy claim is legitimate and not fraudulent. Your trustee will also be the person who determines whether or not you have any non-exempt assets. If you do, the trustee will also manage the sale of your assets and oversee the distribution of the proceeds to your creditors.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustees

The role of a trustee in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is slightly different because the types of bankruptcies differ from each other. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy deals with a repayment plan, which your trustee will be responsible for overseeing. Your trustee will be your liaison between you and your debtors, making sure you have an affordable repayment plan, collecting your payments and distributing them to your debtors.

Contact a Texas Bankruptcy Attorney Today

One of the many aspects of a bankruptcy is the trustee, which is a crucial piece to the puzzle. Your trustee will make sure you have a reasonable bankruptcy plan, but sometimes you also need extra help. If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you should talk with an experienced Kerrville, TX bankruptcy attorney. At the Law Offices of Chance M. McGhee, we will help you determine whether or not bankruptcy is appropriate for your situation. Call our office today at 210-342-3400 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/bankruptcy-trustee/

https://www.thebalance.com/who-is-a-bankruptcy-trustee-316199

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bankruptcy-trustee.asp