The Role of the New Hampshire Bankruptcy Trustee
The New Hampshire bankruptcy trustees oversee the administration of cases filed under Chapters 7 and 13. Just as in other jurisdictions, the “Granite State” maintains a sharp distinction between the private trustees who manage your case and the Office of the U.S. Trustee (UST), which is the bankruptcy court’s watchdog under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
By Alexander Hernandez, J.D., Professor, and Author of Consumer Bankruptcy Law (Routledge).
The New Hampshire Bankruptcy Trustee
A Bankruptcy Trustee is a private individual, typically an attorney, appointed to supervise your specific case. Their role depends heavily on which chapter you file.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees
Chapter 7 is commonly referred to as a liquidation, but if assets are to be liquidated, that would depend on the value of your assets. If the assets are over-exempt, meaning the equity is not protected, then it is the trustee’s obligation to protect the bankruptcy estate by selling those assets and using the net proceeds to pay creditors their pro rata share.
The role of trustee includes:
- Review your petition and schedules for accuracy.
- Conduct the 341 Meeting of Creditors.
- Investigate potential fraudulent transfers via the adversary process.
- If necessary, request a Rule 2004 Examination, which is similar to a deposition.
Note that qualifying for Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires passing the Means Test, which is based on your last six months of income compared to the average income of your state. The income figures are updated regularly. For the latest figures for your state, please see this prior article.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustees
Chapter 13 is a reorganization for “wage earners.” In New Hampshire, the Chapter 13 trustee collects your monthly payments and distributes them to creditors according to your court-confirmed plan. They monitor your compliance for the duration of your three-to-five-year plan.
Professor’s Note: A crucial step in Chapter 13 is the Confirmation Hearing. This is where the judge determines if your plan meets all legal requirements, including unsecured creditors receiving their fair share via the Chapter 7 Liquidation Test.
Office of the U.S. Trustee (UST)
While private trustees handle individual cases, the United States Trustee monitors the overall integrity of the system. New Hampshire is part of Region 1 of the U.S. Trustee Program, which also includes Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
The regional headquarters is in Boston, but a local office is maintained in Concord:
- Main Location: James C. Cleveland Building, 53 Pleasant Street, Suite 2300, Concord, NH 03301.
District of New Hampshire Trustee Directory (2026)
The following individuals are currently assigned to oversee cases in the District of New Hampshire.
Chapter 7 Panel Trustees
| Trustee Name | Address | Phone |
| Edmond Ford, Esq. | 815 Elm Street, Unit 5 B, Manchester, NH 03101 | (603) 373-1600 |
| Timothy Smith, Esq. | 38 Shasta Dr., Londonderry, NH 03053 | (603) 623-0036 |
| Olga L. Gordon, Esq. | 33 Arches Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 | (617) 457-4000 |
Chapter 13 Standing Trustee
New Hampshire currently has one standing trustee:
Andrew M. Dudley, P.O. Box 429, Brunswick, ME 04011, (207) 725-1300.
The Professor’s Take
As I’ve noted in my textbook Consumer Bankruptcy Law, the bankruptcy trustee is a fiduciary for the creditors, so please be careful when communicating with them as they protect the interests of the bankruptcy estate. While the New Hampshire trustees are generally professional and fair, their legal duty is to maximize the recovery for the estate, not protect your best interests.
341 Meeting Update: As of early 2026, most 341 Meetings in New Hampshire are conducted via Zoom. Remember, even though you may be at home, you are testifying under penalty of perjury. You must have your photo ID and Social Security card ready for the camera, and some trustees require that identification be provided in advance of the hearing at the time the requested documents are provided.
Always ensure your documents are provided to the trustee timely manner to avoid having your case dismissed or rescheduled, which is likely to result in additional fees from your bankruptcy lawyer.
For information on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Hampshire, including contact information for the bankruptcy judges, see this related article.
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 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.
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