PROCEDURES FOR 341 HEARINGS FOR CHAPTER 7 TRUSTEE – KAREN EVANGELISTA

All scheduled 341 hearings will be conducted remotely via Zoom Video conference and will be recorded.

Video/Phone Etiquette Guidelines

Although taking place in a virtual environment, participants should dress and conduct themselves as though they are appearing for any court-related proceeding. Attorneys should instruct clients to name their devices appropriately, keep their devices on mute until their case is called, and be in a quiet place without any background distractions or noise. A more in-depth explanation of video etiquette can be found below.

The following video/phone etiquette guidelines will be required of all parties:

• Mute the call/audio while your meeting is not being held.
• Speak clearly and hold the camera steady.
• Limit background noise while your hearing is being held.
• Debtors and counsel are to be at a set location for the duration of the hearing, and not in transit to allow for full attention to be given to the questions being asked. High-speed internet access is recommended.
• Only debtors and their counsel, as well as creditors or interested parties, will be allowed in the hearing, i.e., no “moral support” or supplementary answers are to be provided by friends or family.
• Debtors must have the following documents available to them at the remote meeting site.
  • Copies of signature pages and entire copies of the Voluntary Petition
  • Declaration of Schedules
  • Statement of Financial Affairs
  • Form 22A (Means Test Form)

Please provide the Debtor(s) with the Bankruptcy Information Sheet and make sure they read it before the meeting. You can download it in English and many other languages here: https://www.justice.gov/ust/bankruptcy-information-sheet-0

Directions for Zoom Meeting

Counsel and Debtors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Zoom prior to their hearing. Please visit https://zoom.us/.

If you are connecting to the hearing using a smartphone, please follow these instructions:

• Click on the link “Join Zoom Meeting” from the invite email.
• If you do not have the Zoom app downloaded, it will ask that you download it first.
• You will see a screen that says, “Waiting for the host to start this meeting”.
• Once our office starts the meeting, your app will prompt you for your name.
• You will see a screen that says, “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon.”
• Once our office admits you to the meeting, you will need to start video and audio.
• Click on Start Video.
• Click on Call by device audio and give Zoom permission.

If you are connecting to the hearing using a laptop or desktop computer, please follow these instructions:

• Click on the link “Join Zoom Meeting” from the invite email.
• If you do not have the Zoom app downloaded, it will ask that you download it first.
• Select Open Zoom Meetings.
• A popup box will open that says, “Please wait for the host to start this meeting”.
• Once our office starts the meeting, a popup box will open.
• Select “Join with video”.
• A popup box will open with a QR Code – this is the waiting room.
• Once we admit you to the meeting, a popup box will open.
• Select “Join with computer audio.”

If you have any questions, your client needs a Zoom tutorial, or need further assistance, please contact Ann Brewer at abrewer1304@yahoo.com or 248-652-7992