"I heard the judge is mean. I'm too scared to file bankruptcy."

Typically, a debtor's involvement with the bankruptcy judge is very limited. In most cases a debtor will not appear in court and will not see the bankruptcy judge unless an objection is raised in the case. Usually, the only formal proceeding at which a debtor must appear is the meeting of creditors. These hearings, often called "341 hearings", are presently being conducted virtually with the case trustee and the debtor's attorney appearing via the internet and the debtor appearing telephonically.

(Just in case you are wondering, the bankruptcy judges in our district are very cordial!)