December 04, 2017

Supreme Court Won’t Decide a Circuit Split on Garnished Wages as Preferences

Fifth Circuit held that wages garnished within 90 days of bankruptcy are preferences.

Supreme Court

December 01, 2017

Ninth Circuit Bars Switching Homestead Exemption After Filing

Arizona debtor left homeless despite Bankruptcy Rule 1009(a).

9th Circuit

November 29, 2017

Courts Split on Whether Claims for Overpayments of DSOs Are Themselves DSOs

Status of claims for overpayment of domestic support obligations begs for appellate review.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District

November 28, 2017

The Unlimited Wedding Ring Exemption Has Some Limits, Illinois Judge Says

Opinion traces the thousand-year history of wedding and engagement rings.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District

November 27, 2017

Trustee’s Stated Intent to Abandon by Itself Won’t Allow a Debtor to Sell

Estate property must be formally abandoned before the power of sale reverts to the debtor.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Southern District

November 24, 2017

Even ‘False’ Debts Are Discharged

Student loan lender’s argument was ‘preposterous,’ judge says.

5th Circuit, Texas, Texas Southern District

November 22, 2017

Tenth Circuit Direct Appeal to Decide Whether the Automatic Stay Is Really Automatic

Circuits are split on whether inaction is an ‘act’ that violates the automatic stay.

10th Circuit

November 21, 2017

“Substantial Contribution” Claim Allowed in Chapter 13

Split grows on whether ‘substantial contribution’ claims are limited to chapters 9 and 11.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

November 20, 2017

Owning a Home Through an LLC Can Preclude a Homestead Exemption

State laws vary on allowing homestead status for a house owned through an LLC.

2nd Circuit, Vermont

November 17, 2017

No Statute of Limitations for Suing on a Trustee’s Surety Bond

Removing and discharging a trustee are not synonymous, Houston judge rules.

5th Circuit, Texas, Texas Southern District