Us Trustee

The U.S. Trustee Program is a litigating component of the Department of Justice, established in 1978 as a pilot effort and made permanent in 1986. Its mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders, acting as a "watchdog" to prevent fraud, dishonesty, and overreaching. The Program covers all federal judicial districts except those in Alabama and North Carolina, participating in over one million active cases annually.

The Program consists of 21 regions with 82 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Its broad administrative, regulatory, and litigation and enforcement authority in the bankruptcy system includes appointing and supervising private trustees for Chapter 7, 12, and 13 cases, as well as Subchapter V of Chapter 11. The U.S. Trustee Program also oversees credit counseling and debtor education providers.

Key duties involve civil enforcement against bankruptcy fraud and abuse, referring matters for criminal investigation and prosecution, and facilitating access to justice, including providing interpreters for individuals with limited English proficiency and instituting virtual section 341 meetings. The Program also supervises Chapter 11 reorganizations, monitoring applications for professional employment and compensation, and debtors' plans.