December 15, 2017

BAPCPA Limits Remedies Against Debtors Who Don’t Reaffirm or Surrender

‘Stay and pay’ may not be permissible, but the remedies can be toothless.

6th Circuit, Michigan, Michigan Eastern District

December 14, 2017

Due Process Violations Can Be Waived by Inaction, Eleventh Circuit Says

Motion for reconsideration must be made promptly, or due process violation will evaporate.

11th Circuit

December 13, 2017

Eleventh Circuit Requires No Objection to Overturn a Final Confirmation Order

Split decision allows a lender to take property out of an estate automatically.

11th Circuit

December 07, 2017

Chicago Strikes Out on Priority Status for Post-Petition Parking Fines

Clever drafting of chapter 13 plans prevents collection of post-petition parking fines.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District

December 06, 2017

Eleventh Circuit Joins Ninth in Allowing Appellate Counsel Fees for a Stay Violation

Circuit court broadly interprets fee shifting in Section 362(k) for a willful stay violation.

11th Circuit

December 05, 2017

Homestead Exemption Must Be Paid in Full Before a Sale Is Permitted, BAP Says

Splitting with the Sixth Circuit, the Tenth Circuit BAP does not require equity to claim a homestead exemption.

10th Circuit

December 04, 2017

Judge Describes an ‘Important Tool’ to Deal with Incompetent Debtor’s Counsel

Judges uses Section 329(a) to vacate a contingency lien for more than the value of the lawyer’s services.

9th Circuit, California, California Eastern District

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