Procedures in the Bankruptcy Case: Start to Finish

There's more to a bankruptcy case than just filing your papers. In Chapter 7 you generally make one appearance in front of the bankrupty trustee, called the 341 hearing or meeting of creditors. Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires at least two meetings -- the meeting of creditors and the confirmation hearing. In both types of bankruptcy you'll have to get credit counseling, twice.

Below we've laid out the steps in a typical Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, as well as provided more in-depth information about some of the important procedures, like the meeting of creditors, and features you should know about, like the automatic stay.