After Filing/Before Hearing

Once you receive your case number, you enter what is called an “automatic stay.” After the court has received and processed your submitted paperwork, they immediately notify all your creditors of your bankruptcy filing. Your creditors are then legally prevented from pursuing your further for debt collections, evictions, lawsuits, wage garnishments, levies, foreclosure, and other related matters. This is one of the greatest benefits of filing bankruptcy.

First Court Hearing

Creditors’ meeting/341 Meeting

Soon after your petition is filed, you are required to attend a meeting at the courthouse with your creditors, trustee, and your attorney. While this meeting is in your local federal building, it is not a trial. There is no judge present. During this meeting (which usually lasts less than 10 minutes), the trustee and creditors review your financial paperwork for accuracy and dispute anything they find to be inaccurate. Your attorney can greatly help you to feel at ease during this part of the process as he or she can advise and help you.

Second Court Hearing

You create a repayment plan that outlines how much each of your creditors will be paid and how much you will pay each month. This plan is presented before your trustee, a judge, and your creditors in a confirmation hearing in court, where those present may dispute or modify your repayment plan (if necessary). Most often, your plan is approved in this meeting. Normally, you do not need to attend this hearing. 

Repayment

Over a 3-5 year period, you make consistent payments to the court. These payments go towards your creditors, trustee, and attorney. Your trustee will occasionally review your case to make sure that your plan is going smoothly.

To access online accounts and other resources, see the Chapter 13 Trustee’s website.

Middle District Chapter 13 Payment Address:

A. Kristin Hurst

PO Box 116347
Atlanta, GA 30368-6347

Note: Please print your name and case number on your payments and make them payable to Kristin Hurst, Trustee. Payments should be made by money order or cashier check. They do not accept cash or personal checks.

Phone Number: 706-327-4151

Note: You're not eligible to register for an ePay account with the Chapter 13 Trustee Kristin Hurst until you've received a Confirmation Order in the mail from court (usually within 30 days of your confirmation hearing). Once you've received the Confirmation Order, you can register to pay online.

Southern District Chapter 13 Payment Address:

M. Elaina Massey

PO Box 1717
Brunswick, GA 31525

Phone Number: 912-466-9787

ePay Online Payment System

Jonathan W. Deloach, Chapter 13 Trustee

The Online Payment System is an approved alternative to the use of Cashier's Checks and Money Orders by using your Checking or Savings Account to make direct payments to the Trustee. This is an instant payment system, in conjunction with our bank, to provide a verifiable, trustworthy, and more convenient payment option. In order to use this payment system, you must have an internet connection, know your Case Number and last four digits of your Social Security number, a Checking or Savings Account, and a valid current e-mail address.

Registration:

Start by going to the Trustee's website. Next click ePay on the top menu bar of the page.

Click on the Register Now button. This will direct you to the ePay Online Payment Center so you may begin the registration process.

Please fill out the registration page and click Next when done. The next page will ask you for your Online Payment ID. This ID number consists of your case number (without dashes) and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Example: Case # 11-77777 and SS# XXX-XX-1234
Then the Online Payment ID is: 11777771234 (This is ONLY an example Online Payment ID)

After inputting your Online Payment ID twice, click Next. The next page will provide you one last opportunity to verify your information before submitting. Click Submit Registration if your information is correct.

Making a Payment:

Log in and begin by choosing the amount to pay. You will have the choice of making your Current Monthly Payment or an Other amount. Next, key in your Checking or Savings Account information and select what type of account it is. If you are unsure of your Checking or Savings Routing and Account numbers, please click on the image button to the right of the Routing number field to see an example. Routing numbers are always 9 digits long and to the left of your account number (Note: DO NOT use a Deposit slip to obtain your Routing number. The deposit slip Routing number is typically different from the Routing number associated with the Checking account). Click Submit Payment once your payment information has been input.

Questions or Help:

For questions or help, please e-mail us at epayquestions@chl3trustee.com, call our office at 706-327-4151, or visit http://www.chl3trustee.com to view our Frequently Asked Questions page to further help you.

Debt Discharge/Fresh Start

Once you receive your case number, you enter what is called an “automatic stay.” After the court has received and processed your submitted paperwork, they immediately notify all of your creditors of your bankruptcy filing. Your creditors are then legally prevented from pursuing you for debt collections, evictions, lawsuits, wage garnishments, levies, foreclosure, and other related matters. This is one of the greatest benefits of filing bankruptcy.

While a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for 7 years, you can begin taking steps to rebuild your credit and start fresh without burdensome debts.