What is the role of the trustee in my case?

The trustee is appointed by the United States Trustee to administer the case.  The primary functions of the trustee are to examine the assets of your estate, if any, liquidate non-exempt assets, and serve as the disbursing agent to the creditors. The trustee technically becomes the temporary owner of all of your non-exempt property.  Your creditors are paid by selling non-exempt property of your estate.  If there are no non-exempt assets in your estate, the case is referred to as a “no asset” case.  Creditors do not need to file a proof of claim in a no asset case.  Creditors must file a proof of claim if assets are later recovered.