4th Circuit

Fourth Circuit Upholds a $31 Million Default Judgment for Discovery Abuses

Long Island’s Judge Grossman warns lawyers that they may be paid nothing if they file chapter 11 cases just to delay a secured creditor, with no legitimate strategy for selling the property, refinancing or confirming a plan.

Court :

4th Circuit

Debtor’s Appeal from Chapter 13 Plan Confirmation Held Equitably Moot

District court equates distribution to creditors in chapter 13 to substantial consummation of a chapter 11 plan.

Court :

4th Circuit

Virginia

Virginia Eastern District

Barring Use of an Online Payment Platform Was an Automatic Stay Violation

Bankruptcy Judge Michelle Harner decided that a mortgage servicer must allow a chapter 13 debtor’s continued use of an online payment platform.

Court :

4th Circuit

Maryland

Trustees’ Commissions Are Based on Distributions Made to Co-Owners of Property Sold

Bankruptcy courts are divided on whether the calculation of a trustee’s commissions includes distributions made to co-owners of property that the trustee has sold.

Court :

4th Circuit

Maryland

Two Courts Rule on Chapter 7 Debtors’ Standing for Objections to Sales and Claims

Virginia’s Judge Keith Phillips sides with courts that bar lenders from cutting deals with trustees to eliminate debtors’ homestead exemptions.

Court :

4th Circuit

Virginia

Virginia Eastern District

A Wholly Unsecured Lien May Be Stripped Off Even if It Predated Ownership

Bankruptcy Judge Michelle Harner held that a wholly unsecured, subordinate lien may be stripped off in chapter 13 even if the lien arose before the debtor owned the property.

Court :

4th Circuit

Maryland

Revesting on Discharge in Chapter 13 Can’t Be Mandated, Fourth Circuit Says

Local rules and local standard plans cannot force a chapter 13 debtor to disregard one of the options in Section 1327 and require revesting of estate assets on discharge.

Court :

4th Circuit