August 18, 2016

Courts Divided on Contempt Sanctions as Automatically Nondischargeable

Showing intentional violation of court order isn’t enough for nondischargeability.

6th Circuit, Ohio, Ohio Southern District

July 28, 2016

Award of Attorneys’ Fees to the Government Is a Dischargeable Debt

Section 523(a)(7) interpreted narrowly in a fee-shifting dispute.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

July 15, 2016

Improperly Taking $297.72 Results in $250,000 in Punitive Damages for Stay Violation

Creditor’s unrepentant attitude escalates punitive damages from $33,700 to $250,000.

6th Circuit, Ohio, Ohio Northern District

June 29, 2016

Denial of Settlement Is Not Final and Not Appealable, Sixth Circuit Holds

Supreme Court’s Bullard opinion implies that denials of settlements are not appealable.

6th Circuit

June 22, 2016

Continuing to Farm Is Not Prerequisite for Relief in Chapter 12

Judge prescribes loose standards for eligibility as a family farmer.

6th Circuit, Kentucky, Kentucky Western District

June 17, 2016

Sixth Circuit Joins the Split on Whether Bankruptcy Courts Are ‘Courts of the U.S.’

The Supreme Court may have a new case to elevate or diminish the status of bankruptcy courts.

6th Circuit

June 06, 2016

Chapter 7 Debtors Might Benefit from Jevic by Analogy

Otherwise-valueless exemptions might get value, depending on the outcome of Jevic.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

May 20, 2016

Excusable Neglect Can Never Be an Excuse for a Late Claim in Chapter 13

Rule 3002(c) has the only permissible grounds for allowing a late claim.

6th Circuit

May 13, 2016

Courts Split on Requiring Reaffirmation for Valid Lease Assumption in Chapter 7

Detroit judge makes auto lease assumption valid without parallel reaffirmation.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

May 02, 2016

Bankruptcy-Specific State Law on Interest Rates Struck Down on Appeal

Sixth Circuit BAP opens up a can of worms on state bankruptcy laws.

6th Circuit