June 11, 2018

Serial Bankruptcy Filings Can Result in a Conviction for Bankruptcy Fraud

Although the debtor only intended to halt eviction, the Seventh Circuit enhanced the sentence to reflect the claims of all creditors.

7th Circuit

June 07, 2018

Stabbing Victim Gets No Sympathy for His Lawyer’s Mistake

Sympathy for a client won’t make up for counsel’s mistake.

11th Circuit, Georgia, Georgia Northern District

June 04, 2018

Islamic Law Informs the Court in Interpreting a Marital Contract

Courts split on the dischargeability of debts incurred in the course of divorce or separation.

2nd Circuit, New York

Bankruptcy Judge Regulates the Unregulated Debt-Reduction Service Industry

Section 502(b)(4) shields debtors from overreaching lawyers in a new context.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Eastern District

A False Statement About One Asset Isn’t Grounds for Nondischargeability, Supreme Court Rules

High court resolves a circuit split on Section 523(a)(2)(B) and the meaning of “financial condition.”

Supreme Court

June 01, 2018

District Court Allows 401(k) Contributions in Chapter 13 Up to the IRS Limits

Lower courts split three ways on 401(k) contributions and the calculation of disposable income in chapter 13.

5th Circuit, Louisiana, Louisiana Western District

May 31, 2018

Penalties for Fraud Are Nondischargeable Despite Chapter 13’s ‘Superdischarge’

Fraudsters get no sympathy from the Sixth Circuit on dischargeability.

6th Circuit

May 30, 2018

Like the Second Circuit, Florida Judge Bars Arbitrating a Class Suit for Discharge Violations

Supreme Court’s subsequent Epic decision casts doubt on opinions overriding arbitration agreements in the bankruptcy context.

11th Circuit, Florida, Florida Middle District

May 29, 2018

Fourth Circuit Holds Local Rule Invalid for Dispensing with a Hearing

Fourth Circuit again shows itself to be a debtor-friendly venue.

4th Circuit

May 23, 2018

Parties to a Civil Union Held Eligible to File a Joint Petition

Chicago judge takes stand for the equality of same-sex couples.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District