February 01, 2016
A $15,000 Civil Contempt Order Was Interlocutory and Not Appealable
Perhaps a civil contempt order should sometimes be final in bankruptcy.
9th Circuit, California, California Central DistrictJanuary 29, 2016
Sixth Circuit Nixes the Notion of Artificial Impairment for Plan Confirmation
Sixth and Fifth Circuits arguably disagree on what constitutes artificial impairment to confirm a chapter 11 plan.
6th CircuitJanuary 29, 2016
Eighth Circuit Requires Debtors to Disclose Suits Arising after Filing
Disclosing a lawsuit after chapter 13 discharge is too late to avoid judicial estoppel.
8th CircuitJanuary 28, 2016
Fourth Circuit Fixes One Issue of Tax Lien Subordination under BAPCPA
Fourth Circuit cleans up one mess Congress made with BAPCPA.
4th CircuitJanuary 28, 2016
Support Obligations for Grandchildren Are Ordinarily Dischargeable
Deficient drafting results in dismissal of dischargeability complaint.
7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern DistrictJanuary 27, 2016
Benefit to Consumer Required for Involuntary Conversion from Chapter 7 to 11
Judge lays down a tough rule, then goes easy on consumer debtors.
5th Circuit, Texas, Texas Western DistrictJanuary 26, 2016
Arbitration Clause Nixes Class Suit for an Automatic Stay Violation
Enforcing arbitration clause turns on core vs. non-core distinction.
9th Circuit, OregonJanuary 26, 2016
California Judge Fixes Discharge Deadline for Late-Filing Tax Penalty
Bankruptcy mavens, take note: Late-filing fines for tax returns kick in Oct. 15.
9th Circuit, California, California Northern DistrictJanuary 25, 2016
Split 9th Circuit BAP Exempts Adoption Payments from Disposable Income in Chapter 13
9th Circuit BAP opinion broadly puts welfare payments beyond reach of chapter 13 creditors.
9th CircuitJanuary 25, 2016
Judge Closes Loophole to Prevent Discharging Pre-Conversion Condo Charges
Debtors once again stuck paying post-filing condo charges on abandoned home.
4th Circuit, North Carolina, North Carolina Eastern District