Generally speaking, you and your filing spouse have to go to court only once. This hearing takes place about a month after the case is filed and is a mandatory hearing by both attorney and client(s). At this hearing you are questioned by the trustee about the information stated in the schedules. At this time the creditors also have the right to appear, but in most Chapter 7 cases, no creditors exercise this right. In Chapter 13 cases, this is the time when the Trustee will set your payment plan. The hearing process usually takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes once you are called.