A Guide to the North Carolina Bankruptcy Trustee Directory

North Carolina’s bankruptcy system is divided into three federal judicial districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western. Although the United States Trustee Program does not administer bankruptcy estates in North Carolina, each district still has appointed Chapter 7 panel trustees and Chapter 13 standing trustees who carry out the same functions found in USTP-administered states. This administrative difference does not affect how your case proceeds or the duties of the trustee assigned to you.

Whether filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, the Trustee is the fiduciary responsible for reviewing your financial disclosures, conducting your 341 Meeting, and ensuring compliance with federal bankruptcy law.

Key Takeaways: North Carolina Trustee Directory

Jurisdictional Structure: North Carolina is divided into three bankruptcy districts: Eastern, Middle, and Western, each with its own panel of trustees and administrative procedures.
Trustee’s Role: Trustees safeguard the bankruptcy estate, review debtor financials, and maximize recovery for creditors.
Chapter 7 (Liquidation): Trustees identify non‑exempt assets such as vehicle equity, tax refunds, or real property interests that may be liquidated.
Chapter 13 (Reorganization): Standing Trustees administer monthly plan payments, oversee feasibility, and conduct both the 341 Meeting and Confirmation Hearing.
Meeting Format: Most 341 Meetings in North Carolina continue to be held via Zoom or telephone, though trustees may require in‑person appearances when necessary.
Document Deadlines: Debtors must submit tax returns, bank statements, pay stubs, and other requested documents no later than seven days before the 341 Meeting.

Chapter 7 and 13 Trustees in North Carolina

Although the United States Trustee Program does not administer bankruptcy estates in North Carolina for either of the three districts (Eastern, Middle, and Western), the Bankruptcy Administrator system performs the same statutory functions found in USTP‑administered states.

This administrative distinction does not affect how your case proceeds under the Bankruptcy Code.

Under Chapter 7, trustees are obligated by Sections 704 and 541 to review your bankruptcy schedules, examine your financial records, and determine whether any non‑exempt assets should be liquidated for the benefit of creditors. Their duties include verifying the accuracy of your disclosures, conducting the 341 Meeting of Creditors, investigating potential assets, and liquidating property when required by law.

Under Chapter 13, standing trustees carry out the responsibilities outlined in Sections 1302 and 1326, including evaluating the feasibility of your repayment plan, collecting monthly payments, distributing funds to creditors, and overseeing compliance throughout the life of the case. They also conduct the Confirmation Hearing.

What Happens After Filing Your Bankruptcy Petition

Most 341 Meetings in North Carolina are conducted via Zoom or telephone, though trustees may require in‑person attendance for identification issues, business cases, or complex asset questions. The hearing is scheduled approximately one month after the petition is filed.

Required Documents

Debtors must submit the required documents to the trustees at least 7 days before the 341 meeting of creditors; otherwise, their case may be dismissed. The standard list of documents includes bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, and current outstanding balances on secured debt such as motor vehicles and mortgages.

Most trustees also require copies of your credit report, which is usually obtained by your bankruptcy attorney.

Eastern District of North Carolina Trustees

The Eastern District covers Fayetteville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, and Wilmington. Below is the contact information for the Chapter 7 and 13 trustees.

Trustee Name	Address	Phone
James B. Angell	P.O. Box 12347 Raleigh, NC 27605	(919) 821-7700
Jennifer Bennington	P.O. Box 1907 Wilson, NC 27894	(252) 237-9020
Stephen L. Beaman	P.O. Box 1907 Wilson, NC 27894	(252) 237-9020
John C. Bircher III	209 Pollock Street New Bern, NC 28560	(252) 514-2828
Algernon L. Butler, III	P.O. Box 38 Wilmington, NC 28402	(910) 762-1908
Gregory B. Crampton	P.O. Box 18237 Raleigh, NC 27619	(919) 781-1311
Holmes P. Harden	P.O. Box 1000 Raleigh, NC 27602	(919) 981-4011
Walter L. Hinson	P.O. Box 7479 Wilson, NC 27895-7479	(252) 291-1746
Scott McKellar	Battle Winslow, Scott & Wiley, Rocky Mount, NC 27804-0100	(252) 937-2200
George F. Sanderson, III	The Sanderson Law Firm, PLLC PO Box 6130 Raleigh, NC 27628	(984) 867-9300
Kevin Sink	Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey 3600 Glenwood Avenue, #210 Raleigh, NC 27612	(919) 589-7985

Eastern District of North Carolina – Chapter 13 Standing Trustees

Trustee Name	Address	Phone
Troy Staley	P.O. Box 1618 New Bern, NC 28563	(252) 633-0074
Michael Burnett	P.O. Box 61039 Raleigh, NC 27661-1039	(919) 876-1355

Conclusion: Navigating North Carolina Bankruptcy Proceedings

Successfully navigating a bankruptcy case in North Carolina requires careful attention to detail and close cooperation with your assigned trustee. Whether your case falls under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, ensuring that your financial disclosures are accurate and all required documentation is submitted at least seven days prior to your 341 meeting is critical to avoiding delays or dismissal.

By understanding the distinct role of the Bankruptcy Administrator program and your specific district’s panel trustees, you can better prepare for your meeting of creditors and move toward a successful financial fresh start.

Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish at an international university.

Educational Resources

For Institutions: Colleges and universities can purchase or request examination copies of my textbook directly from Routledge Publishing.
For Students & Practitioners: Single print and digital copies are available via Amazon Books.
Video Lectures: Stream comprehensive legal breakdowns and video explanations on the Prof. Hernandez YouTube Channel.

Bankruptcy Court & Consumer Resources

Explore a deep dive for consumer guides and court directories to navigate your legal options:

A step-by-step master guide on Filing for Bankruptcy and Navigating the Petition.
Access full directories for the Federal Bankruptcy Court System and Trustee Contact Information.
Protect your assets by reviewing your specific State Bankruptcy Exemptions or compare them against the Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions.
Prepare for your court date with the updated brief on the 341 Meeting of Creditors Rules and Procedures.

Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.

Bankruptcy Code Statutory References

11 U.S. Code §704 – Duties of trustee.
11 U.S. Code §541 – Property of the estate.
11 U.S. Code §341 – Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
11 U.S. Code §1302 – Trustee.
11 U.S. Code §1326 – Payments.