Understanding the Role of Maine Bankruptcy Trustees
The Role of the Maine Bankruptcy Trustee
The Maine bankruptcy trustees play a pivotal role in overseeing the administration of cases filed under Chapters 7, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Appointed by the U.S. Trustee Program, a division of the Department of Justice, these individuals are responsible for managing bankruptcy estates, conducting Section 341 Meetings of Creditors, and ensuring compliance with federal procedures.
While most trustees are licensed attorneys, although I’ve seen some that are accountants or certified public accountants (CPA’s), they operate independently from the Bankruptcy Court and are subject to oversight, audits, and performance evaluations by the U.S. Trustee’s office.
In Maine, Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are handled by a designated standing trustee, while Chapter 7 cases are assigned to panel trustees on a rotating basis. Their work is essential to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system.
Bankruptcy trustees don’t represent you—they represent the bankruptcy estate, which includes everything you own. Their primary role is to protect those assets, scrutinize your financial disclosures, and, if any assets aren’t exempt (i.e., not legally protected), sell them off to repay your creditors (liquidation).
The trustee’s role is to separate exempt assets (which you keep) from non-exempt assets (which can be sold). In Chapter 7, the trustee may liquidate your non-exempt property and use the proceeds to pay your creditors.
In Chapter 13, the trustee acts more like a payment processor, collecting your monthly plan payments and distributing them to creditors according to the court-approved schedule.
The 341 Meeting is a key part of the trustee’s job. The trustee conducts the 341 Meeting of Creditors, which typically occurs a few weeks after you file. Here, you meet with the trustee and answer questions under oath about your financial situation. Creditors may attend, but they rarely do.
Trustees are also empowered to investigate any potential fraud or improper financial transactions, such as payments made to a family member shortly before filing. If they suspect foul play, they can take legal action to recover assets and protect the integrity of the bankruptcy estate.
It’s important to distinguish the bankruptcy trustee, a private individual administering your case, from the Office of the U.S. Trustee, a Department of Justice entity that supervises bankruptcy trustees to ensure compliance with their obligations.
Chapter 7 Trustees
| Trustee Name | Office Address | Contact Information |
| Nathaniel R. Hull | One Portland Square, Suite 9, Portland, ME 04102 | Email: Trustee@verrilldana.com Phone: (207) 774-4000 |
| Anthony J. Manhart | Perkins Thompson, One Canal Plaza, P.O. Box 426, Portland, ME 04112 | Email: trusteemanhart@perkinsthompson.com Phone: (207) 774-2635 |
| Jeffrey T. Piampiano | P.O. Box 10378, Portland, ME 04104 | Email: trustee@dwmlaw.com Phone: (207) 772-1941 |
Chapter 13 Trustee
| Trustee Name | Mailing Address | Contact Information |
| Andrew M. Dudley | P.O. Box 429, Brunswick, ME 04011-0429 | Email: amd@chap13.com Phone: (207) 725-1300 |
Are you looking for information on the Maine bankruptcy court system? That information can be obtained here, and here for additional states.
You can learn more about filing for bankruptcy and the bankruptcy petition via this link. Information on the bankruptcy court system, contact information for trustees, and your state’s exemptions can be found here. The federal bankruptcy exemptions are listed here. The latest version of the 341 Meeting of the Creditors can be found here.
Colleges and universities can purchase my bankruptcy law textbook directly from Routledge Publishing. Paralegals and students who are buying single copies can do so via Amazon Books. To access my YouTube channel, click this link. You can also listen to my podcast on Spotify.
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Please note that the information on this site does not constitute legal advice and should be considered for informational purposes only.