The Role of the Minnesota Bankruptcy Trustee
The Minnesota bankruptcy trustees play a central role in managing cases filed under Chapters 7 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Because the bankruptcy system involves multiple players, it’s important to distinguish between two key entities: the bankruptcy trustee and the Office of the U.S. Trustee (UST).
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
The Bankruptcy Trustee
This is a private individual appointed to oversee your specific case. Their responsibilities vary depending on the chapter filed:
- In Chapter 7, they review your petition and financial disclosures, conduct the 341 Meeting of Creditors, and manage the liquidation of non-exempt assets.
- In Chapter 13, they administer your repayment plan, collecting and distributing payments to creditors.
Office of the U.S. Trustee (UST)
Unlike the case-specific trustee, the UST is a federal agency within the Department of Justice. It serves as a system-wide watchdog, supervising private trustees to ensure compliance with bankruptcy laws. The UST also investigates and prosecutes bankruptcy fraud, helping maintain the integrity of the process.
Key Points: The Role of the Minnesota Bankruptcy Trustee
| Role | Key Responsibility |
| Private Bankruptcy Trustee | An individual appointed to a specific case. Their role is to administer the bankruptcy estate on behalf of creditors. |
| Office of the U.S. Trustee (UST) | A division of the Department of Justice that acts as a “watchdog,” supervising private trustees and prosecuting fraud. |
The 341 Meeting of Creditors
The trustee’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the bankruptcy estate. This includes reviewing your financial disclosures and identifying any non-exempt assets, meaning those not protected under bankruptcy law. If such assets exist, the trustee may liquidate them to repay your creditors.
It’s important to remember that the trustee does not represent you personally. Only your bankruptcy attorney serves as your advocate and is committed to protecting your best interests throughout the process. So keep that in mind when communicating with the bankruptcy trustee’s office and the U.S. Trustee’s Office.
In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the trustee functions primarily as a financial administrator, collecting your monthly plan payments and distributing them to creditors based on the court-approved repayment schedule. Beyond this logistical role, trustees also have investigative authority.
They can examine your financial history for signs of fraud or improper transactions, such as preferential payments to family members made shortly before filing. If misconduct is suspected, the trustee may initiate legal action to recover assets and uphold the integrity of the bankruptcy estate. In serious cases, they may refer the matter to the U.S. Trustee for potential criminal prosecution.
Trustee Duties by Chapter
The trustee’s specific duties vary significantly depending on the chapter of bankruptcy filed:
| Chapter | Trustee’s Primary Function |
| Chapter 7 (Liquidation) | Oversight and Liquidation: Reviews the petition, conducts the 341 Meeting, and sells non-exempt assets to repay creditors. |
| Chapter 13 (Reorganization) | Payment Processing: Same role as the Chapter 7 trustee plus, manages the court-approved repayment plan by collecting monthly payments from the debtor and distributing them to creditors. |
Chapter 7 Trustees
| Trustee Name | Primary Address | E-mail Address | Phone Number |
| Erik A. Ahlgren | Suite 105, Wells Fargo Center, 220 W. Washington Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537 | erik@ahlgrenlaw.net | (218) 998-2775 |
| Michael S. Dietz | 1529 Hwy 14 East, Suite 241, Rochester, MN 55904 | mdietztee@outlook.com | (507) 577-1554 |
| Gene W. Doeling | 3429 Interstate Blvd., P.O. Box 9231, Fargo, ND 58106-9231 | gene@kaler-doeling.com | (701) 232-8757 |
| Mary Jo A. Jensen-Carter | 1257 Gun Club Road, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 | maryjo@buckleyjensen.com | (651) 486-7475 |
| Nauni Jo Manty | 150 South Fifth Street, Suite 3125, Minneapolis, MN 55402 | nauni@mantylaw.com | (612) 465-0990 |
| Joseph R. Stermer | 102 N. Parkway Drive, P.O Box 514, Montevideo, MN 56265 | rstermer@stermerlaw.com | (320) 269-6491 |
| Patti J. Sullivan | 1595 Selby Avenue, Suite 205, St. Paul, MN 55104 | patti@pattisullivan.com | (651) 699-4825 |
Chapter 13 Trustees
| Trustee Name | Primary Address | E-mail Address | Phone Number |
| Gregory A. Burrell | 100 South Fifth Street, Suite 480, Minneapolis, MN 55402 | general@ch13mn.com | (612) 338-7591 |
| Kyle L. Carlson | 55 2nd Avenue SW, PO Box 519, Barnesville, MN 56514 | info@carlsonch13mn.com | (218) 354-7356 |
The Professor’s Take: Understanding the role of Minnesota bankruptcy trustees is essential for understanding the bankruptcy process. Whether you’re filing under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, knowing who oversees your case and how they operate can help you prepare for key steps like the 341 Meeting.
If you have questions about your bankruptcy trustee’s responsibilities or how they may affect your case, consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney.
For information on the Minnesota Bankruptcy Court System, follow this link (St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, and Fergus Falls).
Professor Hernandez is an attorney specializing in consumer finance and debt relief. He is the published author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge Publishing) and teaches law and finance courses in both English and Spanish for an international university.
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.
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.
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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.