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To Be or Not to Be: Exclusivity of State Bankruptcy-Specific Exemption Statutes

Recent decisions from Michigan and Georgia have cast further confusion on the issue of exclusivity of “bankruptcy-specific” exemption statutes. Under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b), a debtor filing for bankruptcy is provided with two sources from which to claim property as exempt. The debtor may choose from those exemptions enumerated under 11 U.S.C.

To Be or Not to Be: Exclusivity of State Bankruptcy-Specific Exemption Statutes

Recent decisions from Michigan and Georgia have cast further confusion on the issue of exclusivity of “bankruptcy-specific” exemption statutes. Under 11 U.S.C. § 522(b), a debtor filing for bankruptcy is provided with two sources from which to claim property as exempt. The debtor may choose from those exemptions enumerated under 11 U.S.C.

Schwab v. Reilly: Supreme Courth Takes a Practical Approach in Addressing In-Kind Bankruptcy Exemptions

Nadejda Reilly never thought her kitchen equipment would become part of a federal case that eventually made its way to the Supreme Court. Her bankruptcy attorney in central Pennsylvania assured her that her property would be exempt and never be at risk. He scheduled its value at just over $10,000 and claimed that entire amount exempt.

The Floodgates Are Open

The U.S. Supreme Court just ruled 9-0 in United Student Aid Funds Inc. v. Espinosa, 559 U.S. ____ (2010), which held that the bankruptcy court’s order confirming the debtor’s plan is not voidable under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) when no jurisdictional and/or due process violations have occurred.