Do I have to talk to a judge?
The Quick Answer
Your bankruptcy hearing is typically run by a trustee, not a judge. That means you can be more relaxed since things are less formal. In fact most trustees sit at a table with you, rather than those intimidating court rooms you have seen on T.V.
The Long Answer
You will notice when you arrive that a lot of other people are in the same financial situation as you and have also decided to seek bankruptcy protection. The courts in Northern California typically schedule back to back. Typically your hearing will last less than 10 minutes. Thus, you will be in a room with many other individuals who were smart enough to do something about their financial problem, and seek a fresh start!