April 17, 2019

Lenders Admonished to Demand Nothing More in Plans than the Law Allows

Judge Hunt in Chicago tells debtors’ counsel to oppose inclusion of unjustifiable provisions in chapter 13 plans, even if it means contested confirmation hearings.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District

April 16, 2019

Bifurcated Fees for Destitute Chapter 7 Debtors Approved in Utah

Copious disclosure required for post-petition payment of fees to be permissible in chapter 7.

10th Circuit, Utah

April 15, 2019

Is the ‘Accrual Test’ for the Existence of a Claim Alive and Well after Grossman’s?

Are there two tests for the existence of a claim, one test for claims against the debtor and another test for claims by the debtor?

6th Circuit

April 13, 2019

Sovereign Immunity Doesn’t Insulate States from Lien Stripping

For three independent reasons, Judge Taddonio rules that states are not immune from stripping down or stripping off tax liens.

3rd Circuit, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Western District

April 11, 2019

‘Treasury Offset Program’ Can’t Be Used After Bankruptcy, Judge Volk Rules

Bankruptcy Judge Volk, nominated for the district court, rules in favor of the debtor on a question dividing the courts.

4th Circuit, West Virginia, West Virginia Southern District

April 10, 2019

Refunds by Creditors After Chapter 13 Discharge Go to Creditors, Not the Debtor

The logic of Harris v. Viegelahn doesn’t mean that chapter 13 debtors receive distributions refunded by creditors.

4th Circuit, Virginia, Virginia Western District

April 09, 2019

Eleventh Circuit Joins the Majority Restricting Collection Letters on Time-Barred Debts

Circuits are split on whether a collection letter only violates the FDCPA if it contains an explicit threat to sue.

11th Circuit

April 08, 2019

Arizona Judge Grants Discharge Despite Default on Direct-Pay Mortgage

Courts are split on denying a chapter 13 discharge for missing payments made directly to the mortgagee.

9th Circuit, Arizona

April 05, 2019

Final Orders Allowed in Preference Suits Against Defendants Who Didn’t File Claims

Following dicta in Bellingham, Judge Collins finds no power to enter a final order in a fraudulent transfer suit against a defendant who did not consent.

9th Circuit, Arizona

April 04, 2019

Filing Tag-Team Bankruptcies Resulted in Suspension from Practice

Fed up with a lawyer’s frivolous litigation tactics, the federal and state courts suspended a lawyer from practice.

7th Circuit