December 16, 2016

Subjective Feeling of Coercion Doesn’t State a Claim for Discharge Violation

First Circuit requires attempt to collect to prove a discharge injunction violation.

1st Circuit

December 15, 2016

Lawyers Can Violate FDCPA by Making Factually Inaccurate Allegations in Bankruptcy Pleadings

There is no litigation privilege in the FDCPA for inaccurate allegations in bankruptcy court.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District

December 12, 2016

Unresolved Attorneys’ Fees Do Not Affect ‘Finality,’ Eleventh Circuit Holds

Fee issues are collateral, not affecting a final ruling on the merits.

11th Circuit

December 09, 2016

Judge Reverses Course and Allows Reclassification of Deficiency Claim

Chapter 13 debtor permitted to surrender collateral and reclassify deficiency as unsecured.

11th Circuit, Alabama, Alabama Northern District

December 02, 2016

BAP Strictly Requires Signing a Pleading for a Rule 9011 Sanction

Advice without signing a pleading does not give rise to a Rule 9011 sanction, but Section 1927 is another story.

6th Circuit

November 29, 2016

Section 106 Waivers of Sovereign Immunity May Be Unconstitutional Sometimes

Patriot Coal decision analyzes Supreme Court authorities on sovereign immunity.

4th Circuit, Virginia, Virginia Eastern District

November 28, 2016

Insurance Companies Have Fewer Protections than Landlords and Aircraft Lessors

Absent special-interest legislation for bankruptcies, insurance companies remain in limbo.

3rd Circuit, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Eastern District

November 23, 2016

Mishandling Collateral Gives Rise to Nondischargeable Debt, Eleventh Circuit Holds

Mishandling collateral is nondischargeable even if the security interest is unperfected.

11th Circuit

November 22, 2016

New York Stands Alone by Not Requiring Delivery to Transfer a Note and Mortgage

District judge makes an ‘Erie’ guess on an undecided issue of New York law.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Western District

November 22, 2016

Student Loans to Advance a Career Are Classified as Non-Consumer

Difficult to discharge, student loans are more easily classified as non-consumer for the presumptive abuse test.

10th Circuit, Colorado