December 21, 2017

Courts Split on Ability to Redeem a Tax Deed Under a Plan

Another court rules on automatic removal of property from the estate under state law.

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 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

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

October 18, 2017

Ninth Circuit Creates Split on Appellate Standard for ‘Consumer Debt’ Determination

Dissenter contends that the majority misread the circuit’s own precedent.

9th Circuit

October 17, 2017

A Future Advance Clause Saved a Loan from Being Unperfected

Potential harm to the debtor is not a factor in deciding to avoid an unperfected lien.

5th Circuit, Texas, Texas Western District

October 03, 2017

Previously Listing Property as a Principal Residence Didn’t Preclude a Later Cramdown

Limited knowledge of English and ‘nuances’ in legal terms saved debtor from a fatal admission.

2nd Circuit, New York, New York Eastern District

September 15, 2017

Reperfecting a Mortgage Isn’t Grounds for a Fraudulent Transfer

Mistakenly cancelling a mortgage can result in a preference but not a fraudulent transfer if the cancellation is later rescinded.

7th Circuit, Illinois, Illinois Northern District