Local Trustee Contacts, 341 Schedules, and What Trustees Look For in Los Angeles Bankruptcy Cases

Introduction — Why local trustee info matters in LA cases

If you're filing bankruptcy in Los Angeles, knowing how to find trustee contacts, when your Meeting of Creditors (the "341 meeting") will occur, and what trustees will focus on can save time, reduce stress, and prevent costly surprises. The Office of the U.S. Trustee assigns panel trustees and publishes local 341 procedures (including the Central District of California's transition to virtual 341 meetings), so local rules and trustee practices matter for every filer and attorney.

This article explains where to locate authoritative trustee contact lists, how scheduling works in the Central District (Los Angeles Division), and the concrete items trustees commonly review during administration of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer cases. Use this as a practical checklist for Los Angeles filings and 341 preparation.

Where to find trustee contacts and case-specific meeting details

Authoritative lists of Chapter 7 panel trustees for California (including Los Angeles-area trustees) are published by the U.S. Department of Justice / Office of the United States Trustee. These lists include trustee names, office addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers — an essential starting point when you need to contact the assigned trustee or confirm administrative details.

For case-specific scheduling (exact 341 date/time and — more recently — the trustee's virtual meeting link or dial-in), check three places in this order:

• The official Notice of Chapter 7/13 Meeting of Creditors mailed by the bankruptcy clerk and posted on PACER/ECF (this gives the case's assigned date/time and usually the Zoom or telephone instructions when virtual).
• The U.S. Trustee Region 16 (Central District of California) Local 341 Meeting Information page, which publishes district-level Zoom arrangements, special instructions, and any rollouts of virtual meetings for the Los Angeles Division.
• The U.S. Trustee's Chapter 7 trustee handbook and local trustee pages for operational guidance or advertised office hours.

Practical tip: if your attorney filed the case, they will often receive and confirm the 341 notice and Zoom credentials first — but debtors who filed pro se should immediately check the notice on PACER and the UST local page and call the trustee's office if the notice is unclear. The U.S. Trustee's regional office also lists a local phone number for general questions.

Typical scheduling: when your 341 meeting is held

While exact timing is case-specific, 341 meetings in consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in federal courts are commonly scheduled roughly 21–40 days after the date of filing. Local practice in many districts, and community guidance for the Central District, reflect a similar 3–6 week window between filing and the first meeting of creditors — expect your notice to give the precise date and virtual access information.

Note: beginning in 2024 the U.S. Trustee and many districts shifted to video (Zoom) 341 meetings for improved access and efficiency; check the Region 16 local page for effective dates and the trustee-specific Zoom IDs or phone lines that will apply to your Los Angeles Division case. In rare circumstances the U.S. Trustee or the assigned trustee may require or approve an in-person meeting.

What trustees look for at the 341 meeting and during administration

The trustee's duties are statutory and practical: 11 U.S.C. §704 directs trustees to investigate the debtor's financial affairs, collect and reduce estate property to money, examine claims, and object to improper exemptions or discharges when appropriate. Trustees use the 341 meeting and pre-meeting document review to determine whether the estate contains non-exempt assets worth administering.

Common focal points trustees will review (and questions you should expect):

• Identity & taxpayer info: original government photo ID and proof of Social Security number. Expect verification at the meeting.
• Income and tax records: recent pay stubs, two years of federal tax returns, and proof of other income (1099s, rental income). Trustees compare these to schedules.
• Bank accounts and recent withdrawals: recent bank statements to spot large withdrawals, transfers, or suspicious depletion of assets before filing.
• Large purchases or transfers before filing: gifts to family, transfers to related entities, or payments to insiders in the months prior (preferences or fraudulent transfers) — trustees investigate recoverable transfers.
• Claimed exemptions: whether exemptions are properly claimed under California or federal schemes and whether they should be objected to. Trustees will flag unclear or unsupported exemption claims.
• Non-listed assets: vehicles, real property, business interests, cryptocurrency, collectibles, pending lawsuits, or bank accounts not disclosed on schedules. Undisclosed assets can lead to reopening, objections, or criminal referral.
• Prior bankruptcy filings and lawsuits: recent dismissals, bankruptcy filings, or ongoing litigation that affect eligibility or administration.

If a trustee determines the schedules are incomplete or the case contains administrable assets, they may request further documents, delay the NDR (Report of No Distribution), or proceed with administration actions (asset liquidation, avoidance actions, or objections). The trustee must file a report and act consistent with statutory obligations.

Practical preparation checklist for Los Angeles filers

Prepare these documents in advance (bring originals or timely-filed electronic copies and be ready to produce them if requested):

• Original government photo ID and proof of Social Security number.
• Last two years' federal tax returns (signed when possible) and the most recent pay stubs (last 30–60 days).
• Bank statements for the last 3–6 months (all accounts).
• Titles, registration, and payoff information for vehicles; mortgage statements or deed records for real property; insurance policies for high-value items.
• Documentation of any large transfers, gifts, or recent settlements.
• Business records if you operate a business (profit & loss, balance sheet, recent bank statements).

Virtual‑meeting particulars (Los Angeles): test your Zoom connection in advance, join from a quiet private place, have scanned documents ready, and keep originals accessible if the trustee asks for them. If you cannot access video for disability or other reasons, contact the trustee and the U.S. Trustee region in advance for accommodations.

When in doubt, be truthful and concise: the 341 meeting is an examination under oath. Misstatements or deliberate nondisclosure can lead to reopening of the case, objections to discharge, or criminal referral. Trustees are required to report suspected criminal activity to the U.S. Attorney.

Where to get official trustee contact lists and further help

Primary sources you should consult:

• U.S. Department of Justice — "List of Chapter 7 Panel Trustees" (trustee names, addresses, phone numbers, emails). Use this list to confirm an assigned trustee's office contact information.
• U.S. Trustee Region 16 (Central District of California) — local 341 meeting information and Los Angeles Division notices for virtual meeting procedures and local updates.
• U.S. Trustee Program — Chapter 7 trustee handbooks and reference materials for trustee duties and best practices. These handbooks explain what trustees examine and the procedural timelines trustees follow.
• Central District of California Bankruptcy Court pages and PACER/ECF notices — for your official meeting notice, proof of filing, and case-specific calendar. Court pages include local rules and clerk contact information.

If you need low-cost or no-cost help in Los Angeles, look for local self-help clinics, pro bono bankruptcy programs, and courthouse guidance for debtors — the Central District's court website and local legal aid groups maintain updated resources.