September 22, 2020

‘No Harm, No Foul’ Doesn’t Entitle a Debtor to a Discharge, BAP Says

Advice-of-counsel defense doesn’t work when intent is clearly fraudulent.

10th Circuit

September 17, 2020

District’s Model Chapter 13 Plan Violates the Code by Requiring More than 60 Payments

Detroit’s Judge Randon holds that a chapter 13 plan’s five-year duration begins to run from the first payment, not from confirmation.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

September 10, 2020

Student Loan Servicer Sanctioned $378,000 for Civil Contempt by New York Judge

Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn imposed civil contempt sanctions for ignoring court orders over five years.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

September 08, 2020

Ninth Circuit: Government Doesn’t Pay Counsel Fees on Reversal of Sua Sponte Actions

Will there be occasions where the government must pay a debtor’s counsel’s fees when a U.S. Trustee unsuccessfully opposes a debtor’s initiative?

9th Circuit

September 04, 2020

Not All Student Loans Are Nondischargeable, Tenth Circuit Holds

Tenth Circuit joins the Fifth Circuit by holding that student loans are not ‘educational benefits’ under Section 523(a)(8)(A)(ii).

10th Circuit

September 02, 2020

Claims Discharged in Chapter 7 Revive If the Case Is Converted to Chapter 13

Courts are split over the effect on claims discharged in chapter 7 if the debtor converts the case to chapter 13.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Southern District

August 31, 2020

Fifth Circuit Invalidates Local Chapter 13 Plan Regarding Tax Refunds

Below median debtors are no longer required to turn over tax refunds in excess of $2,000.

5th Circuit

August 28, 2020

Third Circuit Backtracks; Malice Not Required for Punies on a Dismissed Involuntary

Even when after a finding of bad faith, the court retains discretion to deny punitive damages, Third Circuit says. Compensatory damages are not available if the debtor was failing anyway.

3rd Circuit

August 27, 2020

Fourth Circuit Stands Alone in Limiting Chapter 13 Plan Modifications

Eleventh Circuit joins the majority of circuits by holding that unforeseen, changed circumstances are not required to modify a chapter 13 plan.

11th Circuit

August 26, 2020

Tenth Circuit Panel Splits on a Triangular Preference

Tenth Circuit and its BAP follow the same controlling authority but reach opposite results.

10th Circuit