Bankruptcy
Trustee
A bankruptcy trustee is the person appointed to administer a bankruptcy estate: gathering assets, reviewing claims, and distributing money to creditors.
In Chapter 7 the trustee liquidates non-exempt property. In Chapter 13 a standing trustee collects the debtor's monthly payments and pays creditors under the plan. In most Chapter 11 cases there is no trustee at all unless the court finds cause to appoint one.
Trustees also police the case. They investigate transfers made before filing, object to improper exemptions, and bring adversary proceedings to recover money for creditors.
The United States Trustee is a different office and often confused with the case trustee. It is part of the Justice Department, supervises the administration of cases, appoints committees, and can move to dismiss cases for abuse. In Chapter 11, appointing a trustee is the exception and a significant event, because it removes management from control of the company and signals findings of fraud, dishonesty, or gross mismanagement.
How it appears on a docket
NOTICE of Appointment of Chapter 7 Trustee: D. Whitfield. TRUSTEE'S REPORT OF NO DISTRIBUTION filed 9/2/2026.
Governing rule
11 U.S.C. Sec. 704, 1302
Related terms
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — Chapter 7 is liquidation bankruptcy: a trustee sells whatever non-exempt property the debtor has, pays creditors from the proceeds, and most remaining debts are discharged.
- Proof of Claim — A proof of claim is the form a creditor files in a bankruptcy case stating how much the debtor owes and why.
More on bankruptcy
See this term in a real case
Search federal court records and read the filings where trustee actually shows up. New to federal dockets? Start with how to find a federal case.