Consumer Bankruptcy

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Consumer Debt and Bankruptcies

Discharge Isn’t an Automatic Bar to Conversion from ‘7’ to ‘13’

A district court opinion from Michigan raises the question of whether the Supreme Court’s decision in Marrama is still good law after Law v. Siegel.

Benchnotes January 2024

Jan 2024

‘13’ Debtors May Bifurcate Mortgages that Mature Before the Final Plan Payment

The Ninth Circuit BAP says that a later valuation can make a debtor eligible for chapter 13 when the original schedules meant ineligibility.

Even Without Personal Liability, a Mortgage on a Debtor’s Property Is a ‘Claim’

The ‘broad’ definition of ‘claim’ by the Supreme Court in Johnson led Judge Huennekens to hold that in rem rights against a debtor’s property give rise to a ‘claim.’

The Transition to Virtual § 341 Meetings: Lessons Learned, and Looking Ahead

Jan 2024

Is an Option an Executory Contract or Not?

When there is a recorded option to purchase real estate, Prof. Westbrook would have analyzed the specific performance rights of the holder of the option under state law, not the question of whether the option was executory.

Intent over Plain Meaning: The Minority Perspective of § 362(c)(3)(A)

Jan 2024